The ouster of former Prime Minister Imran Khan has sent shockwaves beyond Pakistan’s borders, with massive demonstrations erupting across the South Asian nation and spilling into cities worldwide. The political turmoil in the nuclear-armed country, which neighbors India, Afghanistan, and Iran, has drawn attention from regional powers and the United States, raising concerns about stability in a region already grappling with economic challenges and militant threats.
Massive Turnout Across Pakistan
Hundreds of thousands of protesters have rallied across Pakistan, according to local reports. The demonstrations came a day after Khan’s removal in a parliamentary no-trust vote. Even as the political opposition in South Asian countries prepared to install Khan’s replacement, supporters of the former prime minister marched in cities across Pakistan on Sunday, waving large party flags and vowing support. The youth, who make up the backbone of Khan’s supporters, dominated the crowds.
In the southern Arabian Sea port city of Karachi, a massive crowd of Imran Khan’s supporters shouted slogans promising Khan’s return to power. “No to imported government,” said one placard in Karachi as protesters chanted: “Any friend of America is a traitor.” In the capital of Islamabad, the lights from thousands of supporters lit up the night sky as Khan made his way through the crowd atop a brightly colored vehicle.
“In a democratic system, the final voice will be the voice of the people. And the voice of the people is Imran Khan,” said Ambareen Turk, a local party activist who joined protesters in Islamabad. A large number of protesters including women and children turned up in northern Peshawar city in solidarity with the ousted prime minister. In eastern Lahore city, crowds chanted slogans against a “foreign conspiracy” to overthrow an elected government of Pakistan, The Express Tribune reported.
Global Solidarity and Political Maneuvering
Thousands of Khan’s supporters held protests in the UK, Australia, and UAE. In London, demonstrators converged in Hyde Park and outside former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s home and pledged to oppose any “imported” government. Many protesters said they will not send back remittances until Imran Khan was reinstated as prime minister, the Daily Mail reported.
Imran Khan has called on his supporters to gather for further demonstrations. The protests coincide with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, adding a layer of religious significance to the political rallies. His removal came after a no-confidence vote in Parliament on Sunday, with the opposition securing the required majority to oust him.
Pakistan’s political landscape is now shifting toward a new government. Parliament is expected to elect Shahbaz Sharif as prime minister on Monday. Shahbaz Sharif, the younger brother of Nawaz Sharif, has served as opposition leader and previously as chief minister of Punjab province. The incoming administration will also appoint a Foreign Minister, with Shah Mahmood Qureshi, a senior figure from Khan’s party, expected to remain a key opposition figure.
The political crisis has roots in long-standing tensions between Khan and the opposition, including allegations of corruption and economic mismanagement. Khan has repeatedly accused the United States of conspiring with the opposition to remove him, a charge Washington has denied. The former prime minister’s party has also pointed to the so-called Panama Papers, a collection of leaked secret financial documents showing how some of the world’s richest hide their money and involving a global law firm based in Panama. Pakistan’s Supreme Court disqualified Nawaz Sharif from holding office after those revelations. He lives in London in self-imposed exile after being convicted in a Pakistani court of corruption and sentenced to 10 years in jail.
What to Watch Next
As Parliament prepares to elect Shahbaz Sharif on Monday, the immediate focus will be on whether the new government can stabilize the country amid widespread protests and economic pressures. The opposition’s Plan to form a coalition government faces challenges, including managing relations with the military, addressing inflation, and navigating ties with the United States and other international partners. Khan’s ability to sustain mass mobilization and his party’s strategy in Parliament will also shape Pakistan’s political trajectory in the coming weeks.
