Pakistan Jails 108 Khan Allies in Anti-Military Protest Crackdown
Opposition Leader Umar Ayub Khan Receives Decade-Long Sentence
Pakistan has convicted over a hundred members of ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan‘s party for their roles in nationwide protests against the military last year. The sentences, including a 10-year term for opposition leader Omar Ayub Khan, represent a significant blow to Khan‘s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.
Anti-Terror Court Delivers Blow to PTI
An anti-terrorism court handed down prison sentences to 108 PTI members on Thursday. The convictions stem from the violent demonstrations that erupted in May 2023 following Imran Khan‘s arrest on corruption charges. Six PTI lawmakers were also disqualified from their parliamentary seats.
For the first time in Pakistan's judicial history, such a sad and shameful incident occurred that the leaders of the opposition in both houses [of parliament] were punished solely on the basis that they were loyal allies of Imran Khan's political narrative, public representation, and constitutional struggle.
— PTI (@PTIofficial) March 13, 2024
PTI officials condemned the court’s decisions, with the party posting on X that it marked a “sad and shameful incident” where opposition leaders were punished for loyalty to Imran Khan‘s political agenda. The party stated its intention to challenge the verdict.
“Black Day for Democracy,” Says Khan’s Advisor
Zulfi Bukhari, an advisor to Imran Khan, described the latest sentencing as “a black day for democracy.” He warned that the continuous conviction of opposition figures “will seriously damage our already fragile democracy.”
Khan Remains Imprisoned Amidst Numerous Charges
Imran Khan, the former international cricket star, has been incarcerated since August 2023. He remains popular across Pakistan despite facing over 150 charges, including terrorism and leaking state secrets, which he and his supporters maintain are politically motivated.
May 2023 Protests Sparked Government Crackdown
The protests in May 2023 saw thousands of Khan‘s supporters clash with security forces, storming government buildings and military installations after his arrest. At least ten people died during these clashes, leading authorities to intensify their crackdown on the PTI. The party’s candidates, running as independents, secured the most seats in the 2024 general elections but were prevented from forming the government.
The widespread convictions come amid a concerning trend in Pakistan, where, according to the World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index 2023, the country ranks poorly in factors such as government accountability and fundamental rights, indicating ongoing challenges to democratic norms.
