Pakistan is familiar with political unrest. No prime minister in its independent history has completed a full term in power; some of its most popular leaders have been assassinated or executed. Even so, the events of last month were extraordinary.
On 9 May, in response to the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan on corruption charges, thousands of protestors stormed buildings belonging to the country’s all-powerful military and set the army headquarters alight. More than 40 people died in the clashes with the army and police, and approximately 10,000 officials and supporters of Khan’s party, Pakistan Movement for Justice (PTI), were arrested. The country was on the edge of anarchy.
‘There is no question of backing down, even if I have to sacrifice my life’
‘It’s a reign of terror right now. It’s something unprecedented in our history that is happening,’ says Khan, who speaks to me over Zoom from his home in Lahore’s Zaman Park.
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