Post 9th May A Nightmare for Imran Khan's PTI

Before 9 May 2023, Imran Khan and his PTI were unstoppable enjoying unparalleled support from the masses,defying government efforts to his arrest with the help of charged supporters and unmatchable social media presence.

On 9 May 2023 Imran khan was arrested from Islamabad High Court by Rangers in NAB related Al-Qadir Trust case which triggered a mass protests all across the country especially attacking military installations.

Corps commander’s house in Lahore was completely ransacked by PTI supporters alongwith attacks on GHQ, Mianwali Airbase and defamation of shuhadas monuments. All brought bad name for the country in the home as well as abroad.

Post 9th May Situation for PTI

It seemed as PTI has overcome everything and they will bulldoze whatever come in their way. 

Situation got further exacerbated as

Imran Khan's arrest was declared as illegal by Supreme Court by three member bench headed by Chief Justice Umar Atta Bandial and directed Imran khan to appear before Islamabad High Court for bail which was ultimately granted. Imran Khan blamed Chief Of Army Staff General Asim Munir for all the problems in a head on collision with the army.

Then everything changed. 

Pakistan Army media Wing ISPR bounce back and Director General ISPR Maj General Ahmad Sharif Chaodry HI(M) gave a befitting response and said Army showed restraint against the violent acts of rioters by further adding that what enemy couldn't done in 75 years, few rioters in political garb done it in the greed of power.

Special Corps Commander’s conference was held vowing not to spare anyone involved in 9th May incidents which was further validated in the National Security Committee meeting.

PTI supporters and leadership involved in 9 May mayhem were arrested and it was decided to trial the culprits under Army Act  and Official Secret Act against which voices were raised by Amnesty International and human rights activists.

Imran khan raised hue and cry that he will be murdered and expressed possibility of his arrest during his appearance before NAB investigation team but nothing such happened. 

Zaman Park Surroundings Cleared

PTI supporters' camps were uprooted around Zaman Park thus giving a deserted look which was earlier presented a scene of a fare as different camps were installed by PTI leadrers for seeking tickets in upcoming Punjab Assembly Elections.

After 9th May PTI ticket holders started to return PTI tickets by denouncing the 9 May incidents.

A snow ball effect was observed after Mehmood Baqi Maolavi ex PTI MNA from Karachi left the party. A large number of PTI ex MNAs, MPAs and Senators left the party by condemning 9 May incidents in strictest possible words.

But ship jumping of Aamir Mehmood Kiani, Fawad Chaodry,  Dr Shirin Mazari and Asad Umer, Pervaiz Khatak and Usman Buzdar was considered a major blow to PTI being a top tier leadership.

Arrest of Chaodry Pervaiz Elahi

On 1 June 2023 anti corruption establishment arrested Pervaiz Elahi from his Lahore residence situated at Zahoor Elahi Road while he was coming out of his residence with his family members, clearly depicting that relations with the establishment has reached to the worst point as Pervaiz Elahi is considered close to establishment who never goes against establishment. 

Jahangir Tarin and Aleem Khan ex scion of PTI are active in politics and there are talks of emergence of a new party from PTI as passing of Supreme Court review of judgment bill 2023 paved the way for Jahangir Tarin and Nawaz Sharif to appeal against their lifetime ban on politics. 

Supreme Court of Pakistan 

Three member bench headed by Chief Justice Umar Atta Bandial also put breaks on case for holding Punjab Assembly Elections on 14 May 2023. Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Atta Bandial  remarked during the case hearing that constitution remains silent during warlike situation. 

PDM led government took a sigh of relief as Court of contempt sword was hanging on them by defying the Court's orders for not releasing 21bn rupees for Punjab Assembly Elections. 

Supreme Court stressed on opposition and the government to hold dialogue for the solution and adjourned the hearing for indefinite period after passing of Supreme Court review of judgment bill 2023.

Conclusion 

Post 9th May situation is nightmare for Imran Khan's PTI due to unprecedented exodus from party and large number of leaders on the run and Police is after them.

Imran Khan's mainstream media appearances curtailed and entangled in multiple cases. Imran khan has termed this era more vicious than martial law.

PDM led government has upper edge on political front as tsunami of Imran Khan has completely subsided and PTI is in tatters also supreme court is subdued due in-house polarisation.

Most of the analysts are of the view that Imran Khan's chances to regain power  are no where in the scene due to head on collision with military establishment and it is more likely that he may trialed under Army Act and  disqualified from politics for a certain period. There are also rumours of new party from within PTI but Imran Khan is confident that only those will win to whom he will issue tickets. But at the moment seriously wounded on political front beseeching for negotiations but government is putting deaf ears to his requests.