Pakistan has locked down Imran Khan's stronghold - but it could backfire
Pakistan has placed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province under a state of emergency following widespread protests demanding the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The government claims the move is necessary to combat terrorism, though critics argue it is a political crackdown on Khan's party.
Why it matters
The escalation highlights deepening political instability in a nuclear-armed nation and raises concerns about the erosion of democratic processes.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Caroline Davies Pakistan correspondent Reuters Thousands of Khan's supporters have been rallying for days throughout the province demanding his release Schools closed. The internet partially shut. Roads blocked by shipping containers. And the army arriving in town.
Imran Khan's party stronghold, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is under a state of emergency, his party's provincial government suspended. It's another dramatic escalation in the standoff between the former prime minister's supporters and Pakistan's state - and one that some fear could lead to more instability, not less.
According to the federal government this step, allowed by the constitution, was needed to provide protection for the province's population from the threat of terror.
"The PTI KPK government was hand in glove with the terrorists," Attah Tarrar, federal information minister, told journalists on Sunday. He did not elaborate or provide evidence, but promised to do so soon.
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