Imran Khan

The former prime minister accuses the government and the military of putting pressure on Pakistani Tehreek-e Insaf members. The defence minister suggests banning the party over the violent protests that broke out on 9 May. In the meantime, the issues that should be central in the campaign for the October elections are being sidelined.

Pakistan’s Supreme Court is accused of favouritism vis-à-vis the former prime minister, who, released on bail, urged his supporters to continue protesting. The country's institutions are now against each other. Some hope that an agreement on the election date might be possible. The “situation does not benefit democracy, nor can it solve economic instability.” Fr Khalid Rashid Asi told AsiaNews. Yesterday Catholics in Faisalabad prayed for the country.

While the country is in an uproar over the former prime minister’s legal problems, another girl is kidnapped from her home in Faisalabad and raped for seven days by men known in the community. Local Muslim notables are pressing for the family to drop their complaint. For NGO Voice Pakistan, “The protection of underage Christian girls has become the main problem of religious minorities.”

Supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf set fire to several army properties. The military has been deployed in two provinces. At least a thousand people have been arrested. Several observers warn that the crackdown could make things worse amid widespread economic and political instability.

Anti-government protests have broken out in some cities. Back in March, police tried to arrest the former cricket star but had to desist due to supporters’ resistance. For more than a year, Pakistan has been grappling with political instability.