Imran Khan is afraid of being killed

• May 12, 2023

On May 9 this year, Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested on charges of corruption. The manner of his arrest raised alarm, with paramilitary forces entering the Rawalpindi High Court and taking him away in a van. In view of this, his supporters ignited protests across Pakistan targeting the Pakistani military. They attacked the army headquarters in Rawalpindi, destroyed military memorials, and set fire to the houses of senior generals.

Which became a concern for the Pakistan Army. There were many protesters in the densely populated Punjab province, which is behind a large part of the military and the country's political power structure.

Imran Khan has directly challenged the powerful army since he was ousted as prime minister last April. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan told the Lahore High Court on May 3 that he is facing death threats and his frequent court appearances may endanger his life. He last appeared in court on April 5 with his head covered with a bulletproof bucket.

It is right to fear for Imran Khan's life. Three principles have ruled Pakistan since Zia's coup—the powerful army, Allah—the progeny of Islamic theocracy, and America—its main patron, hardware supplier, and source of financing so far. Imran's survival is seriously endangered. The military has never openly targeted civilians in the country's turbulent history. Not even after East Pakistan lost the war on December 16, 1971. The protests that this military saw around the world in May 2023 will not be easily forgotten.

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