What the huge show of support for Imran Khan in Islamabad says about Pakistan’s changing politics
For many, it was about rejecting a system they have long felt has ignored and abused them.
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Tens of thousands of protesters belonging to the party of Pakistan’s ousted prime minister Imran Khan, jailed for the last one year, invaded the tree-lined streets of the federal capital of Islamabad earlier this week.
It was no easy feat for them to get there. They used raw power and powerful vehicles to remove massive shipping containers piled three deep. They pushed past police and military barricades. Many were from Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where Khan’s party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Party, the PTI or Justice Party still rules.
The army and police were also in the capital by the thousands. Even though the protesters had vowed to stay until Khan was released they dispersed in a rush when security personnel opened fire.
The jury is still out on whether force or reason wins the day. If force wins, Pakistan loses.
Changing state
Still the show of support for Khan, speaks volumes about the changing state of Pakistan’s politics. For some, perhaps even many, it is about the individual, but for many it is also about rejecting a system they have long felt has ignored and abused them.
When Khan was ousted back in April 2022 his popularity was iffy at best, but discontent set in when a no confidence vote threw him...
