Pakistan faces political unrest amid members moving ‘no confidence’ against PM Imran Khan

Political observers and media persons have opined that the pressure put on Imran Khan and the growing anarchy could end up Khan’s losing grip on not only over the government but over his party as well

PGurus Newsdesk

March 19, 2022

Political observers and media persons have opined that the pressure put on Imran Khan and the growing anarchy could end up Khan’s losing grip on not only over the government but over his party as well

Political turmoil in Pakistan

The last few days have been of great political unrest in Pakistan since the atmosphere is enormously tense with daily developments pointing to a build-up that could end in a major political change. The joint opposition is keen on building pressure on the incumbent Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The political observers and media persons have opined that the pressure put on Imran Khan and the growing anarchy could end up Khan’s losing grip on not only the government but over his party as well.

The members of the National Assembly have clarified that they had taken the decision to remain together at the Sindh House as they feared Khan resorting to tactics aimed at harassing them to change their stance of the vote against him.

A few of them managed to move out of the Sindh House and have taken shelter at different locations as they had got wind of the Prime Minister’s supporters reaching to harass them.

Around 24 members of the National Assembly from the ruling party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had taken shelter at the Sindh House on March 17 announcing that they would support the ‘no confidence‘ motion against Khan, as per their conscience.

Interestingly, true to their assessment, on Friday around 100 PTI Students Federation Activists carrying “lotas” entered the Red Zone shouting slogans in favour of Khan outside the Sindh House. This would, however, not deter the 24 PTI MNAs from changing their mind and in fact, there are a few more ruling party members who are willing and likely to join them soon. While there is a lack of clarity on the exact situation on the ground due to the fast-changing scenario, at the same time there are indications that three Ministers are also with the opposition.

Disintegration within the ranks of the government has reached such levels that Speaker of the National Assembly Asad Qaisar, representing the PTI, has sent 20 MNAs abroad on vacation at this crucial juncture. Such a move is obviously with a malafide intention and could be aimed at further accentuating the present confusion at the centre. In these circumstances, given the Prime Minister’s abrupt outbursts often targeted at important personalities, the possibility of his making some strong and brash statements further vitiating the atmosphere cannot be ruled out.

These developments have led to speculations about the nature of action that Khan could likely take to bail himself out which could vary from imposition of the Governor’s Rule in Sindh to announcement of emergency in the country or sacking of Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa. Khan is no doubt in a tight spot and would do anything possible to save himself.

Alternately, in the face of a clear ouster, he might create a chaotic and messy situation while moving out of position. This is already being done by some of his stooges.

Experts well versed with internal developments feel that in case the Army has to act against him, they would use Khan’s favourite, Faiz Hameed to advise him to step down and fly abroad. He will be cautioned that in the event of him being voted out, he would not be spared by the opposition, particularly Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who would ensure that he is detained.

[With Inputs from IANS]

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