The National Security Committee in Pakistan declared May 9, 2023 as “Black Day” when a crowd encroached the Army’s Headquarters, the General Head Quarter (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. It was one of numerous attacks on military sites and Generals’ residences around the country that caused enormous damage to the nation’s pride. Pakistan’s political instability is currently at a tipping point, with political figures, motivated by self-interest are targeting security personnel and security posts across the country.
Political rivalry and criticism are common in a democratic society. However, the manner in which recent violent and unprecedented assaults in Pakistan were carried out has had a considerable influence on public perception as well as the overall social security situation. Imran Khan’s high-headed tactics and battle for power have had a significant influence on Pakistan’s democratic institutions. His harsh criticism of his opponents has eroded public trust in the political system, and many people now think that the government’s policies endanger democracy and the rule of law in the country. When politicians routinely wage angry and divisive assaults against one another, social tensions worsen. When political leaders repeatedly attack opponents, political processes usually suffer from a lack of confidence and trust.
One of the contributing elements to Pakistan’s current violent polarization can be found in Imran Khan’s relentless ideological attacks on opponents and state institutions. Divisions amongst many facets of Pakistani society have been practiced regularly as a key component of Imran Khan’s political strategy. He has frequently turned to demonize his political rivals, painting them as corrupt, ineligible to rule and Pakistan’s problem makers. IK’s strategy has been characterized by harsh rhetoric, personal assaults, which exacerbate existing social divides and religious high grounds exploited in a manner similar to the one employed during the infamous Islamic Revolution in Iran. The conversation becomes based on character assassination and personal assaults rather than policy disagreements and productive exchanges.
Imran Khan’s nationalistic appeals and claims of a purely Pakistani identity have been exploited to instill a sense of “us against them.” Therefore, when individuals firmly affiliate themselves with their leaders, they blindly follow their every single call and similarly polarization intensifies, which further escalates the division. Imran Khan has accomplished this with his aggressive activities against the state entities quite well.His statements against Pakistan Army and military leadership have shaped public opinion against security forces, ringing alarm bells throughout the country.
Political leaders who have huge public support are expected to operate within the bounds of the constitution; on the other hand, only a criminal mind would introduce radical ideas and exhort his supporters to attack the state. The problem with Pakistan’s political supporters is that they rarely seek to investigate such things closely and end up acting as a convenient lure for political leaders. Imran Khan’s case is quite relatable as far as Pakistani politics goes.
Leaders can speak about their nation’s goals, engage in constructive argument, and endeavour to accomplish an agreement. This method can assist in bridging gaps and reduce polarization by emphasizing shared interests and goals that can bring the country together. Imran Khan, on the other hand, increasingly shown himself to be an unpredictable politician with a false sense of egoism who desired to keep everyone below his ego. In his political struggle, Imran Khan forgets that the military is the only shield safeguarding a nation from foreign dangers because “if the military is not there, the military of another country will be there.” When he came into power in 2018, he proved himself extremely unpredictable in his foreign policy approach in handling sensitive matters. Case in point, his use of the US diplomatic cypher card to trigger incitement against the US and leaking of diplomatic secrets in his political processions damaged Pakistan’s national interest and spoiled its foreign relations with countries.
