Pakistan returns to the past: Imran Khan, Asim Munir, and the shadow of Zia-ul-Haq |
Pakistan presently finds itself enmeshed in a political drama that resonates with both contemporary realities and unsettling historical echoes. The erstwhile prime minister Imran Khan, who continues to be regarded as the popular political figure within the nation, is currently enduring solitary confinement, with his spouse Bushra Bibi, and his political movement systematically dismantled. The military establishment, which previously preferred to exert influence from the shadows, has reasserted its direct authority under a civilian guise, with Field Marshal Asim Munir steering the helm. Concurrently, the haunting specter of General Zia-ul-Haq and the execution of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto persists in the backdrop, both inescapable and disquieting.
It is important to note that the current state of Pakistan is not identical to that of the 1979. However, the similarities are pronounced enough to induce discomfort even among the Pakistani observers. At that time, General Muhammad Zia ul-Haq similarly claimed that judicial pronouncements had been rendered, justice had been duly served, and the removal of Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was merely an unfortunate consequence of necessary legal proceedings. Nevertheless, history ultimately delivered a divergent conclusion. The execution of Bhutto represented the pinnacle of political elimination. Since that pivotal moment, Pakistan’s military leaders have been cautious to avoid driving a civilian opponent to the threshold of martyrdom.
Making of a political prisoner
Imran Khan’s decline commenced at the juncture when he confronted the military’s exclusive dominion over the appointments related to intelligence. As soon as Rawalpindi retracted its backing, the no-confidence vote scheduled for April 2022 became an inescapable outcome. His subsequent incarceration in August 2023 heralded the onset of a new chapter: one characterized by a systematic approach to political exclusion.
The paradox lies in the peril, as the very forces which helped Imran Khan to the reach the pinnacle of his political power not only led to his downfall but also his incarceration. The partnership