With Imran Khan’s uncompromising supporters standing up against Pakistan army’s brute power, Pakistan eyes ominous signs

Since May 9, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) has been challenging the authorities established in two cities of Peshawar and Islamabad. And this is now reaching its zenith as Imran Khan’s final call of resistance has once again propelled the PTI to throng the streets of Islmambad. The march that started at Imran Khan’s call saw violent clashes on Monday evening resulting in the killing of one police official while protestors mowed down 4 other paratroopers. On Sunday, the march moved towards some of the most strategic buildings near D Chowk.

Meanwhile, several videos show protestors wearing gas masks and goggles as it is said that the chemicals were showered on the protestors, however, authenticity of such claims is still to be ascertained.

As protestors remain resolute, the Pakistan Army has now come to the front to deal with its own deeds. The latest violence is seemingly another attempt by PTI to pressurise the govt for Imran Khan’s release, however, this time the march is being led by none other than Bushra Bibi, who recently got released from Adiala jail after getting bail in the Toshakhana case.

Besides, the march has been carried out on the call of Imran Khan. Imran’s message was adorned by impactful phrases describing the message as a ‘final call’ to ‘break the shackles of slavery’ and fight against the ‘stolen mandate’.

Notably, the Pakistani establishment tried to thwart the protest march by restricting the highways and crucial roads using concrete blocks, ship containers, and barricades among others. However, the protestors used heavy machinery and lifting equipment to move forward.

This must be noted that these marches may seem like a tussle for the office of the Prime Minister between Imran Khan and Shahbaz Sharif, but in reality, Imran Khan is fighting the Pakistani establishment, predominated by the Pakistan Army, that has evidently had an upper hand in the country’s politics.

There is no doubt that the Pakistani establishment installed Imran Khan but when it faced the need to change, it installed Shahbaz Sharif, which didn’t go well with Imran.

As earlier said, Pak’s establishment always had the upper hand in the nation’s politics and hence every leader was at the mercy of the Pakistan Army and followed their dictates. But, Imran Khan rebelled against the establishment which marked a new struggle in the country’s political landscape.

In fact, the voters also responded positively to Imran’s approach. In the country-wide elections for the National Assembly held earlier this year, despite losing the symbol, the candidates contested independently and unitedly emerged as the single largest entity.

Despite reports of rigging at various polling stations and intervention of the Army to pull through the victory for Shahbaz, the results showed that the Pak Army’s influence has faded and the military intervention into political affairs has become a cause of resentment among the masses.

While it still remains to see what happens in the protest in the coming days, one thing remains sure is that the march and subsequent violence have escalated the feud to an all-time high. Apparently, the ‘final call’ is likely to resonate on the ground as strongly as in words, with two major forces—the Pakistan Army and Imran Khan, backed by his ardent and uncompromising supporters—at loggerheads. One wields brute power, while the other holds the ability to galvanize the general public. The outcome of this clash bodes ominously for the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.