Post by : Meena Ariff

Photo: Reuters

In a major development, Pakistan has sentenced 108 supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan to prison. These people were found guilty of participating in violent protests against the country’s military after Khan was arrested in May 2023 on corruption charges.

The protests broke out when security forces arrested Khan while he was appearing in court. The news of his arrest led to nationwide unrest, with thousands of his supporters taking to the streets in anger. Many of them stormed government buildings and military sites, resulting in damage and chaos.

A Harsh Blow to the Opposition

The latest court rulings include a 10-year prison sentence for Omar Ayub Khan, one of the leading opposition figures. He was seen as a key ally of Imran Khan.

According to legal officials, the convictions were issued by a special anti-terrorism court and also led to the disqualification of six lawmakers from their seats in parliament.

These judgments are being seen as a major blow to Khan’s political movement, which has already faced several legal challenges in recent years.

Strong Reactions from the Opposition

Opposition leaders have strongly criticized the court rulings, calling them unfair and politically motivated. They believe the punishments are not based on justice but rather on the support these leaders showed for Imran Khan's message and political vision.

In a public statement, members of the opposition said that for the first time in Pakistan’s judicial history, leaders of both houses of parliament were punished just for standing by a political cause. They added that this is a sad and shameful moment that will be remembered as a dark chapter in the country's democracy.

The opposition has also announced that it will challenge these sentences in court, hoping for a fair hearing and reversal of the rulings.

Concerns Over Democracy

One of Khan’s closest aides, Zulfi Bukhari, said these actions mark a black day for democracy in Pakistan.

“Sending one opposition leader after another to jail is not a healthy sign for any democratic system,” he said. “It will only make our already weak democracy even more unstable.”

This latest move has raised serious concerns among citizens, political analysts, and international observers who are now questioning Pakistan’s commitment to democratic values, freedom of speech, and fair justice.

Imran Khan Remains Popular Despite Jail Time

Imran Khan, once a famous cricket star, has been in prison since August 2023. However, despite being behind bars, he remains hugely popular among the public. His supporters believe that all the charges against him, including more than 150 cases such as terrorism and leaking state secrets, are false and politically driven.

Khan and his supporters have firmly denied all accusations, claiming that the legal actions are part of a plan to silence opposition voices and stop him from returning to power.

Violent Events of May 2023

The protests that followed Khan’s arrest on 9 May 2023 were some of the most violent the country has seen in years. Crowds gathered across cities, clashing with security forces. Government offices and military buildings were attacked.

At least ten people lost their lives during these events, and thousands were arrested. The government responded with a strong crackdown, making mass arrests and targeting key opposition figures.

Elections and Political Setbacks

In the 2024 national elections, many supporters of Imran Khan ran as independent candidates because their party was not allowed to officially participate. These independents won the highest number of seats, showing Khan’s continued popularity among voters.

However, despite winning, they were blocked from forming the government, raising even more questions about fairness and transparency in the political system.

Uncertain Future

As the opposition gears up to challenge the latest sentences, many in Pakistan are watching closely to see what happens next.

• Will the courts listen to their appeals? Will the current government allow free and fair political debate? And will Imran Khan ever be allowed to return to public life?