The New York Times reports “Former Pakistan Prime Minister Charged Under Terrorism Act” and in “Pakistan’s Imran Khan Is Now the Target of Forces He Once Wielded,” that the crackdown against Khan “appears to have heightened Mr. Khan’s popularity, analysts say, bolstering his claims that the military establishment conspired to topple his government in April. …

“In the past two months, Mr. Khan has managed to parlay his widespread support into electoral prowess. His party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, won sweeping victories in local elections in Punjab — a province that has often served as a bellwether for national politics — and in the port city of Karachi.

“And however out of favor he may be with the military’s top brass, Mr. Khan has retained sympathizers within the ranks.

“A cohort of retired military officials have attended pro-Khan demonstrations in recent months. And his chief of staff, Shahbaz Gill, went so far as to urge officers to refuse to obey their leaders during a live TV appearance, leading to his arrest and accusations that he has been trying to incite rebellion within the military.”

JUNAID AHMAD, junaidsahmad@gmail.com
Ahmad is professor of religion and world politics at the University of Lahore in Pakistan and Director of the Center for the Study of Islam and Decoloniality. He just appeared on Flashpoints. Ahmad was featured on the IPA news release, “Protests Rock Pakistan Following Imran Khan Charging U.S. Behind His Ouster” in April. See Ahmad’s past interviews and writings at The Real News.

Tariq Ali was recently on “Democracy Now”: “Terrorism Charges Against Pakistan’s Former PM Imran Khan Are ‘Truly Grotesque.'”

Ejaz Akram just wrote the piece: “Imran Khan’s arrest will derail Pakistan’s democracy.”