Descent into chaos: on the state of Pakistan’s politics
The HinduThe Pakistan Supreme Court’s order to release former Prime Minister Imran Khan after calling his arrest “unlawful” is a blow to the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the military establishment that backs it. Ever since he was ousted from power in April 2022, Mr. Khan has campaigned against the 13-party coalition government led by Mr. Sharif. On the other side, the coalition government’s approval rating has tanked amid mounting economic woes, but Mr. Sharif has refused to give in to Mr. Khan’s demands. The allegations against Mr. Khan should be probed but the way he was arrested, using the paramilitary forces, and the nationwide crackdown on his supporters that followed raised more questions, prompting the Supreme Court to wade in and order Mr. Khan’s release.