Update Pakistan May 13, 2023

Corps commander Lahore has been posted to GHQ. This posting is considered a sacking. The official dead figure is 10.[1] ?However, the unofficial figure is far more. Meanwhile, Imran Khan confronts the Army chief, a first in Pakistan. Media is heavily censored, and rumors are making the rounds, as expected.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on May 13, 2023, gave authorities 72 hours to identify and arrest all those involved in violent acts after former prime minister Imran Khan's arrest this week sparked deadly unrest. Sharif said the cases would be tried by anti-terrorism courts.[2]

Meanwhile, more than 2,800 arrests were made, while 152 police officers were injured, 74 police vehicles were vandalized and set on fire, and 22 government buildings, including police stations and offices, were damaged, said the police of Pakistan's most populous province, Punjab. [3]Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter were inaccessible in Pakistan on May 13, 2023, after access was briefly restored late on May 12, 2023. The Ministry of Interior had instructed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to suspend mobile broadband services across the country, and blocked access to the three social media networks, on May 9, 2023

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The former prime minister and PTI chief Imran Khan fired a barrage at the military for "jumping into politics", suggesting that it should form its political party.

Speaking to his supporters from his residence in Lahore, Khan vented out his frustration over what he called “baseless allegations” leveled by the military against him and his party.[4]

"Never has ISPR said such things. You should be ashamed of yourself. You have jumped into politics. Why don't you make a party for yourself," Imran Khan said. "I am trying to restrain myself [here] as I am very angry at your allegations since you don't know what you are talking about," he added. [5]

Following the days of violent protests in the wake of (PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s arrest, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir vowed to bring to justice all the planners, abettors, instigators, and executors of vandalism on the ‘Black Day’ of May 9.

"The armed forces will not tolerate any further attempt of violating the sanctity and security of its installations or vandalism and resolved to bring to justice all the planners, abettors, instigators, and “executors of vandalism on the Black Day of 9th May," the army chief said.[6]

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah hinted at imposing a ban on the main opposition party saying, “There is no other option but to ban the party”.[7]His statement came a day after the PTI chief was granted a blanket relief by the Islamabad High Court including in the Al-Qadir Trust case as the authorities were barred from arresting him on any charges till May 15.[8]

Most of the PTI leadership is behind bars. More confrontation between the PTI and the Military/PDM Government is over the horizon indeed.

[1] “Imran Khan leaves court after being granted bail”, BBC News, May 12, 2023, Imran Khan leaves court after being granted bail - BBC News

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[2] Ariba Shahid, “ Pakistan PM orders those involved in violence tracked down, arrested”, Reuters, May 13, 2023, Pakistan PM orders those involved in violence tracked down and arrested | Reuters

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[3] Ibid

[4] 'Make your own party': Imran hits back at military, Express Tribune, May 13, 2023'Make your own party': Imran hits back at military (tribune.com.pk)

[5] 'Make your own party': Imran hits back at military, Express Tribune, May 13, 2023'Make your own party': Imran hits back at military (tribune.com.pk)

[6]?Zehra,” ‘Black Day' perpetrators to be dealt with iron fist: COAS”, The News, May 13, 2023,'Black Day' perpetrators to be dealt with iron fist: COAS (thenews.com.pk)

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[7] “Interior minister sees no other option but banning PTI after violent protests”, The News, May 13, 2023,Interior minister sees no other option but banning PTI after violent protests (thenews.com.pk)

[8] Ibid

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