Critics once derided the rise of Imran Khan and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) as a threat to democracy; the incumbent government’s decision to ban the party, however, has roundly been criticized as a serious affront to the democratic order.
Apart from the ruling PMLN, several parties have objected to the proposal, including the Jamaat-e-Islami, the Awaam Pakistan, PPP and the PMLQ. Alternately described as “fascism” and a “mockery” of the parliamentary system, the proposal—which appears to have been temporarily shelved—it appears the times have shifted from when PTI looked like overturning the democratic system through charisma to acceptance of the same charisma as democracy.
The biggest blot on the PTI’s tenure in government was its attempt to supersede a no-confidence motion in violation of the Constitution. Under law, a prime minister facing a no-confidence move loses the power to dissolve the National Assembly, but Khan’s decision violated this, with the deputy speaker illegally dismissing the no-confidence motion after declaring the opposition part of an anti-government conspiracy. Immediately after this declaration, Khan as prime minister sought the dissolution of Parliament, with then-president Arif Ali subsequently signing off on it. It was only after the Supreme Court reversed the decision that the no-confidence vote was allowed to proceed and Khan ousted as prime minister.
Out of power, Khan was determined to use anti-Americanism rhetoric to become acceptable to the Pakistani voter, initially blaming the U.S. for his ouster before stepping back and maintaining it was time to “forgive and forget.” However, he continued to blame U.S. State Department official Donald Lu for threatening Pakistan with punishment if he were to remain in office, despite Washington denying it. The major difference today, however, is that Khan remains popular among the public, but has lost the support of the Army, which had facilitated his rise to power. This decision can be traced back to the May 9, 2023 riots, which have—for now—caused a separation that appears increasingly insurmountable.