2023 Pakistani unrest
Part of 2022–2023 Pakistan political unrest and Arrest of Imran Khan
DateFirst phase: 14 March – 1 May 2023 (1 month, 2 weeks and 3 days)
Second phase: 9–12 May 2023[1] (3 days)
Location
Pakistan
Caused byAftermath of the Arrest of Imran Khan and reactions to the 2023 Imran Khan arrest attempts
GoalsDemand for the release of Imran Khan and removal of army chief Asim Munir
Methods
StatusEnded (Imran Khan's release from imprisonment)
Parties
PTI and party workers
Lead figures

Shehbaz Sharif

Rana Sanaullah

General Asim Munir (claimed by Imran Khan)[2]

Major general Faisal Naseer (claimed by Imran Khan)

Casualties and losses
8+ protestors killed,[3] many senior leaders arrested,[4][5] 5,000+ protestors arrested[5]
190+ policemen injured,[6][7] several military installations and cantonments vandalized, several public properties and infrastructure were destroyed or damaged, Corps Commander House, Lahore, burned down, Radio Pakistan Building, Peshawar, burned down, 72+ vehicles burnt

The 2023 Pakistani protests, or the Imran Khan Arrest protests were a series of protests and riots across Pakistan. The first of these protests erupted on Tuesday 14 March 2023 after the Pakistani Punjab Police force attempted to arrest Imran Khan—but called off their operation due to the Pakistan Super League Cricket match.[8]

Little over one month later, on Tuesday 9 May 2023 Khan was arrested—triggering violent protests and demonstrations. Internet was blocked indefinitely and social media websites were blocked in Pakistan when the protests began, with YouTube, Twitter and Facebook blocked indefinitely as of mid-May.[9][10] Nearly 125 million people have been affected by the government's decision to suspend mobile broadband and block access to social media apps.[11] The events of this day and its aftermaths has been marked as the death of democracy and human rights by many journalists.[12] At present, the people of Pakistan are already contending with diminishing purchasing power, leading to widespread protests in cities where citizens have resorted to burning electricity bills and blocking roads.[13]

Background

These protests are part of wider ongoing political unrest in Pakistan that triggered with the ouster of former Prime Minister Imran Khan from his office through a vote of No-Confidence Motion (NCM). As a result of successful NCM, Imran Khan became first Pakistani PM ever to be removed by the NCM. After ouster from office Khan alleged that he was ousted by the PDM-an alliance of 13 political parties, with the patronage of connivance between United States and Pakistan's military establishment. Leading up to these protests was the 2022 Toshakhana reference case, a Pakistani government inquiry registered against Imran Khan by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Khan was believed to have been evading mandatory hearings appearances. As a result, the District and Sessions court of capital Islamabad issued an arrest warrant for Khan and ordered the police to arrest him so as to present him for the next hearing.[14][15]

Khan, however, maintains the arrest is truly aimed at removing him from the upcoming national election.[16]

Timeline

First Phase (14 March – 1 May)

Protests first broke out in Islamabad on Tuesday 14 March when police first decided to delay Khan's arrest. Police and party workers clashed outside of his Zaman Park residence in Lahore, and also used gas and a water cannon on supporters nearby. Police also arrested party workers.[17]

The clash between PTI supporters and security forces continued for two days, during which police and Rangers repeatedly attempted to enter Imran Khan's residence with armored vehicles.[18][19][20]

On the second day, Khan's lawyers approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) and requested it to suspend Khan's non-bailable arrest warrants in the Toshakhana case. In a contrary decision, the high court directed the deposed prime minister's counsel to move the trial court instead, as the order for his arrest was "in line with the law".[21]

Imran Khan spoke to the nation via video link, urging the judiciary and establishment to put an end to the "farce" and think about the country's well-being. Imran Khan pointed out that the case against him was being heard at the F8 Katcheri in Islamabad, where explosions had occurred in the past, and that the Interior Ministry had declared his life to be in danger.[22]

At around the same time, the Pakistani political party PTI also filed a petition in the Lahore High Court (LHC) to suspend the warrant orders. However, on 15 March 2023, the LHC ordered the police to halt their operations in Lahore's Zaman Park until March 16, despite their failure to apprehend Khan. They reasoned that an arrest would interfere with the nearby Pakistan Super League playoff match.[23][24]

The Islamabad High Court considered a plea against Imran Khan's arrest warrants and asked the PTI to remove objections from the petition. The authenticity of the PTI's footage of armed law enforcement personnel opening fire at Imran Khan's residence could not be independently verified, and it was unclear if it was from that day.[25]

On 16 March, Khan—as the chairman of the PTI—requested again the suspension of the non-bailable arrest warrants issued in the Toshakhana case, but this request was denied again by the Islamabad District Court on March 16, 2023. Additional District and Sessions judge Zafar Iqbal announced the verdict and ordered the authorities concerned to arrest the former prime minister and present him before the court on March 18.[21][26] The Lahore High Court then duplicated its order the police postpone their attempt to detain Khan until March 17.

Clashes

During the clashes, PTI supporters threw stones at the security personnel, while police officials fired tear gas canisters at the protesters. In retaliation, PTI supporters set fire to a water tanker belonging to the Lahore Waste Management Authority, motorcycles, and other vehicles in the area. They also looted a warden's office on Mall Road.[27]

According to Punjab Inspector General Usman Anwar, 54 policemen were "seriously injured" since the clashes started, while 32 officers received first aid from Rescue 1122. The IG clarified that all roads in Lahore were open to traffic, except those near Zaman Park, and the same was true for educational institutions in the city.[28]

Second Phase (9–12 May)

The second phase of the protests was brief but marked violence and death of dozens of civilians. It was not until 7 May during a rally that Khan accused a senior ISI intelligence officer, Faisal Naseer, of orchestrating plans to murder him.[29][30][31] The next day, ISPR said "irresponsible and baseless allegations" by Khan against a serving senior military officer without evidence were "extremely unfortunate, deplorable and unacceptable".[32]

Two days later, on 9 May, Khan was arrested by the military in Al Qadir University Case[33] and mass protests were held nationwide in Pakistan.

After the arrest of Khan protestors alleged that Khan was arrested on the orders of Pakistan Army for his anti-military stance. Protesters started to attack various military installations across the country. The General Headquarters (GHQ) of Pakistan Army and the official residence of Corps Commander Lahore were attacked by the violent mob. In Islamabad blocked one of the main highways in and out of the capital, people also lit fires and threw stones during this early event. One person died in the locality of Quetta.

Protesters in Peshawar also set fire to the Radio Pakistan premises in protest.[34][35] There were many clashes during these protests also. At around this time, the social media shutdown was authorised, impacting YouTube, Twitter and Facebook.[9]

Former ministers who served in the cabinet of ex-PM Imran Khan, namely Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Asad Umar, and Fawad Chaudhry, are among those that have been arrested during the nationwide protests. The Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, Khalid Khurshid, was placed under house arrest in Islamabad.[5]

Authorities imposed Section 144 in all provinces of Pakistan, and the Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah requested the deployment of soldiers from the Pakistan Army in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as the police force was deemed incapable of handling the situation. As a result, 10 companies of the Army were dispatched to Punjab after the announcement was made.[10]

However, according to reports, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has since deemed the arrest of Imran Khan as unlawful, ordering the Pakistani authorities to release him.[36]

The army was deployed across the country as the death toll was rising in clashes between protestors and the army.[37]

On 12 May, Khan was released on bail and made his way to his personal residence on Lahore. Once out of prison he stated that "I am 100% sure I will be arrested again." and also noted that arrest warrants will be issued for his wife, Bushra Bibi, and that she too will likely be arrested.[38][39] In an attempt to quell the situation, the Pakistani government shut down the rest of the internet, which failed to stifle the discontent and further fueled the protests across the country.[40]

Pakistani police surrounded Khan's house in Lahore on 17 May. Authorities issued a 24-hour deadline to Khan to surrender suspects, linked to the previous weeks violence, allegedly sheltered inside his home but the deadline expired without his arrest. He said he asked journalists to come to his home, which led to a de-escalation with police. "So that defused the situation because clearly there were no terrorists. So that's when the police could not take action," the former prime minister added.[41]

Conflicting views regarding the motive of the protests

As indicated by renowned journalist Dr. Moeed Pirzada, that all that happened on May 9, 2023, and onwards, the protests and burning of few government/military buildings, was all planned by military establishment and a large group of public seems to be inline with this thought. This was also being stated by Imran Khan as well. According to Dr. Moeed Pirzada and many other journalists, it was a strategy to label PTI as an extremist party, start a crackdown over its political leaders and workers by detaining over 10 thousand workers[42] where the female prisoners were being humiliated & raped[43] and eventually pave the way to ban the political party.[44]

References

  1. ↑ "Breaking News Live Updates – 12 May 2023: Islamabad HC Grants Ex-PM Imran Khan 2-Week Bail In Graft Case". News18.com. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  2. 1 2 Wasim, Amir (13 May 2023). "Former PM Imran blames army chief for arrest episode". Dawn.
  3. ↑ "Imran Khan: Deadly violence in Pakistan as ex-PM charged with corruption". BBC News. 2023-05-10. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  4. ↑ Munawar, Qamarul (11 May 2023). "Shah Mehmood Qureshi arrested from Gilgit Baltistan house in Islamabad". Samaa TV.
  5. 1 2 3 "Pakistan arrests Imran Khan's party leaders as protests continue". Al Jazeera. 11 May 2023.
  6. ↑ "Imran Khan's arrest: Rangers reach Zaman Park after 54 policemen injured in clashes with PTI workers". www.geo.tv. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  7. ↑ "1,000 People Arrested So Far in Pakistan, 130 Officers Injured, Say Police". News18. 10 May 2023.
  8. ↑ "Zaman Park clashes: LHC directs police to stop operation till today". www.geo.tv. Retrieved 2023-05-10.
  9. 1 2 "Imran Khan arrest: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook suspended in parts of Pakistan". Business Today. 2023-05-09. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
  10. 1 2 "Pakistan blocks social media platforms, restricts internet". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2023-05-10.
  11. ↑ Adil, Hafsa. "'Ruined my livelihood': Pakistan internet shutdown hits millions". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  12. ↑ Feffer, John (2023-06-20). "The Death of Democracy in Pakistan - FPIF". Foreign Policy In Focus. Retrieved 2023-08-13.
  13. ↑ "POL price hike adds to people's misery". The Express Tribune. 2023-09-01. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  14. ↑ "Imran Khan Arrest Live Updates: Police attempt to storm Khan's residence again, clashes with supporters in Lahore". The Indian Express. 2023-03-14. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  15. ↑ "Imran Khan arrest: Zaman Park turns into battleground as PTI workers, police clash". The Nation. 2023-03-14. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  16. ↑ Adil, Virginia Pietromarchi,Hafsa. "Pakistan updates: Imran Khan says arrest aims at election removal". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2023-03-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  17. ↑ "Business News Today: Read Latest Business News, Live India Share Market News, Finance & Economy News". mint. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  18. ↑ "Pakistan: Riot police fire teargas on crowds trying to prevent arrest of Imran Khan". The Guardian. Agence France-Presse. 15 March 2023. Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  19. ↑ "Pakistani police fire tear gas into Imran Khan's home as defiant former leader resists arrest". CNN. 14 March 2023. Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  20. ↑ "Imran Khan: Pakistan's former PM decries arrest attempt amid violence". BBC News. 14 March 2023. Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  21. 1 2 "Toshakhana case: Islamabad court rejects Imran Khan's plea seeking suspension of arrest warrant". www.geo.tv. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
  22. ↑ "PTI claims Zaman Park 'under extreme attack' by law enforcement personnel". 15 March 2023. Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  23. ↑ "Zaman Park clashes: LHC directs police to stop operation till today". www.geo.tv. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
  24. ↑ "Imran Khan news live: As stand-off continues, Imran Khan says plot to arrest him was hatched in London". The Times of India. 15 March 2023. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
  25. ↑ "PTI claims Zaman Park 'under extreme attack' by law enforcement personnel". 15 March 2023. Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  26. ↑ "Toshakhana case: Imran Khan's plea seeking cancellation of arrest warrant dismissed". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
  27. ↑ "PTI claims Zaman Park 'under extreme attack' by law enforcement personnel". 15 March 2023. Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  28. ↑ "PTI claims Zaman Park 'under extreme attack' by law enforcement personnel". 15 March 2023. Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  29. ↑ "Pakistan Army slams former PM Imran Khan for 'irresponsible and baseless' allegations against ISI officer". India Today. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  30. ↑ "Who is 'Dirty Harry', the top ISI man whom Imran Khan 'fears'". The Times of India. 10 May 2023. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  31. ↑ "All about the 'Dirty Harry' ISI officer, whom Imran Khan blamed for his condition". India Today. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  32. ↑ "'Baseless' allegations by PTI chief against serving military officer 'unacceptable': ISPR". DAWN.COM. 8 May 2023. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  33. ↑ "Al-Qadir University Case; NAB Arrested Imran Khan – Daily Dharti". 2023-05-09. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
  34. ↑ "Imran Khan: Mass protests across Pakistan after ex-PM arrest". BBC News. 2023-05-09. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
  35. ↑ "Imran Khan arrest: Why the latest round of protests in Pakistan are different". The Times of India. 2023-05-09. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
  36. ↑ "SC Order immediate release of imran after terming arrest unlawful". Dawn News. 11 May 2023.
  37. ↑ Ellis-Petersen, Hannah (2023-05-11). "Pakistan: army deployed across country as unrest triggered by Imran Khan arrest continues". The Guardian. Retrieved 2023-05-11.
  38. ↑ Asrar, Nadim; Siddiqui, Usaid; Gadzo, Mersiha. "Latest Imran Khan arrest updates: Ex-Pakistan PM granted bail". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  39. ↑ Saifi, Sophia; Syed, Azaz; Mogul, Rhea (12 May 2023). "Former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan released on bail". CNN. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  40. ↑ Mao, Frances (12 May 2023). "Pakistan shut down the internet – but that didn't stop the protests". BBC News. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  41. ↑ Oelofse, Louis. "EXCLUSIVE: Pakistan's Imran Khan fears rearrest – DW – 05/18/2023". dw.com. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
  42. ↑ "Over 10,000 PTI workers jailed, kept in poor conditions, laments Imran". 24 May 2023.
  43. ↑ "'Sana's cover-up won't hide govt's dark face'". 28 May 2023.
  44. ↑ "PDM govt considering ban on PTI, says Asif". 24 May 2023.
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