Pakistan’s Political Crisis Escalates into Constitutional Turmoil
The ongoing political crisis in Pakistan has now escalated into a full-blown constitutional crisis, stemming from the removal of former Prime Minister Imran Khan from power and his subsequent imprisonment on corruption charges. The situation was further exacerbated when Khan was charged under Pakistan’s Official Secrets Act for his alleged mishandling of a classified diplomatic cable, known as a cipher, which had been a subject of controversy within the country.
The cable in question, dated March 7, 2022, had been at the center of a year and a half-long dispute, with Khan and his supporters claiming it demonstrated U.S. pressure to oust the prime minister. Khan publicly revealed the existence of the cable during a rally in late March 2022. Following this revelation and amid mounting pressure, Khan was eventually removed from power through a parliamentary vote of no confidence in April.
The official report, marking the initial step towards formal indictment, alleges that Khan and his government held a covert meeting shortly after the cable was sent in March 2022. The meeting is said to have been part of a conspiracy to leverage the classified document for their own advantage.
Recently, The Intercept disclosed the contents of the classified cable, confirming that it indeed indicated U.S. diplomatic pressure to remove Khan. The document had been provided to The Intercept by an anonymous source within the Pakistani military. However, the formal allegations against Khan do not reference The Intercept’s publication of the cable.
In a twist to the case, changes to Pakistan’s state secrets law, under which Khan was being charged, were recently approved by the country’s legislature. This legislature is widely believed to act as a rubber stamp for the military. Notably, Pakistan’s President Arif Alvi denied on social media that he had authorized the amendments to the law, asserting that his staff had acted against his will and command in signing off on them. These changes to the Official Secrets Act notably target leakers and whistleblowers, effectively criminalizing news reporting deemed contrary to the military’s interests. It is anticipated that Khan will be indicted under these revised laws.
Alvi’s statement, indicating his opposition to the laws and his staff’s unauthorized actions, throws Pakistan into unfamiliar constitutional territory. In regular circumstances, the president’s final affirmation is necessary for any laws passed by the Parliament.
Imran Khan’s Detention and Concerns
Khan is reportedly facing pressure during his time in government custody. Reports suggest that he has raised complaints about surveillance while in prison, along with difficulties in meeting with lawyers and family members. Additionally, Khan’s wife has expressed apprehensions that he might be subjected to harm while in jail.
Currently serving a three-year sentence on corruption charges, Khan’s supporters contend that the charges are politically motivated. Part of his punishment includes a five-year ban from participating in politics, seemingly aimed at preventing Khan, a highly popular politician in Pakistan, from contesting upcoming elections.
Simultaneously, the crackdown on Khan’s political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), persists. Following Khan’s booking under the state secrets law, his former foreign minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, was also arrested under the same statute.
Allegations of U.S. Involvement
In an interview with Voice of America, former Trump administration national security adviser John Bolton called for Congress to investigate potential U.S. involvement in Khan’s removal. Despite differing with Khan’s policies, including his criticism of U.S. interference in Pakistani affairs, Bolton criticized the military crackdown, suggesting that it could be exploited by “terrorists, China, and Russia.” Bolton expressed skepticism about the authenticity of the cable text published by The Intercept, stating that it would be astonishing for the State Department, particularly under the Biden administration, to advocate for Khan’s overthrow.