Why Pakistan Army and establishment find itself in a Catch-22 situation while dealing with Imran Khan

The echo of a deal between the establishment and Imran Khan is resonating in Pakistan’s power corridors. The possible deal is increasing anxiety about the political status quo. With much at stake, the ruling political parties seek nothing but to ignite the friction between Khan and the establishment, considering it their only survival. On the other hand, the establishment aims for a safe exit from the rapidly aggravating situation.

May 9, 2023, marks the day when the Pakistani army and people confronted each other like never before in the country’s history. What followed was even more tragic and bleak. Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party was considered responsible, and faced the heat. The focus remained on shedding the responsibility of the condemnable event on Imran Khan, who was in custody as the affairs unfolded.

Imran Khan is undoubtedly the most popular leader in Pakistan. He is the only leader with voters and supporters throughout the country. People of all ages, socio-economic strata, genders and ethnicities connect to his larger-than-life yet relatable persona. Furthermore, he is among the few Pakistani leaders with international footprints, especially in the Muslim world.

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After denying any role or influence in Pakistan’s democracy for decades, this time, the establishment unapologetically reengineered politically against Khan and supported leaders with questionable pasts. Institutions collided with each other, with just one objective — to keep Khan out of power and politics.

In the political culture, where particular DNA determines an individual’s political positioning and destination, Imran Khan seems to be made of a different mould. His opponents claim that the establishment supported his political birth and growth, but the leader he has become has evolved through hard work, dedication, ideology, and commitment. The people witnessed, accepted, and appreciated his leadership evolution. Single-handedly, he has challenged the status quo, establishment, the system, and the dynastic political party.

Khan’s political journey, filled with struggles and triumphs, has revealed all the good, bad, and ugly of Pakistan’s system. With political engagement like never before, the people witnessed and absorbed every little detail, making them well-informed and aware. Again, this is a red flag for the power hubs and compromised leadership.

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The PTI leader is crafting a new political arena with no space for dynastic political leadership, fake political ideology, and frequent establishment-backed political reengineering. He has initiated a new era of democracy, which can only be curbed by breaking his will to stand against the system.

Pakistan’s political system has many demons, such as dynastic leadership, corruption, lack of the rule of law, etc. Therefore, leadership with corruption baggage is vulnerable to exploitation and manipulation. Imran Khan has no such history. Even after forcing him into political wilderness, his opponents and the establishment failed to showcase any case with the potential to convince the masses against him. Through being sentenced for 33 years in jail, he enjoys people’s trust, respect, and support. His sentences in fabricated cases such as the Iddat case, Toshakhana case, Cypher case, May 9th case, and Abdul Qadir Trust case validate his standing as a leader with no baggage worth compromising for.

Pakistan is a critical geopolitical and geo-economic country. Even when economically challenged, its role is vital internationally. Its alliance and standing matter. International establishments, especially the US, prefer a master-slave relationship and manoeuvre through Pakistan’s establishment. Therefore, the establishment prefers vulnerable, flexible, and compromised leadership when they want to remain in charge in the back seat. Imran Khan has developed an image of a leader with a mind of his own.

Irrespective of the circumstances today, Khan remains the most popular leader in Pakistan. He is considered the embodiment of resilience, commitment, and dedication. The day of his release is expected to evoke a gathering unprecedented in Pakistan’s history. Before that day arrives, the establishment needs a safe route out from this dead end.

If Khan bends the knee before the system, this may breathe a new leash of life into the departing dynastic political parties and the flawed political system. After treating Imran Khan like a political pariah, the establishment is now looking towards him wishfully for a respectful rescue and exit.

The writer is an author, political analyst, and commentator. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.