Imran Khan comes under further pressure in Pakistan
The government and the generals who back it want to outlaw his party
It is the oldest trope in Pakistani politics. On July 15th the government declared that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the party of Imran Khan, a popular former prime minister who is currently in jail, is involved in “anti-state activities”. The allegations? That the PTI sabotaged negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and hired an American lobbying firm. For good measure the government is also initiating high-treason proceedings against Mr Khan, a crime that attracts the death penalty. “Imran Khan and Pakistan cannot go together,” said Attaullah Tarar, the information minister.
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This article appeared in the Asia section of the print edition under the headline “To ban or not to ban”
From the July 20th 2024 edition
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