Following the dramatic arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan from the premises of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday in the Al-Qadir Trust corruption case, violent protests erupted that left the country reeling and the government taking desperate measures. forced to
International media also covered events in Pakistan, highlighting the power struggle between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Khan and the country’s ruling cadre.
The BBC portrayed it as an escalation of tensions between the country’s military and his party amid a financial crisis. He also highlighted that the army has been called in to stop the violence.
CNN Also focused on the strained relationship between the army and the cricketer-turned-politician. He pointed out that his arrest sparked deadly violence and anger against the country’s military that put the country on edge.
The Guardian, covering the violence that erupted after the dramatic arrest of the 70-year-old PTI chief, said the army was deployed across the country after violence that left nine people dead.
The report cited a breakdown in relations after the PTI chief was ousted by a no-confidence vote, highlighting that the former cricketer’s popularity after his removal as prime minister. has increased.
The New York Times also reported Khan’s arrest, noting that violent protests erupted across Pakistan. It also said: Khan crossed a line against defying the military that has rarely been crossed in Pakistan’s turbulent history.
Reuters, citing public opinion polls, noted Imran Khan as the country’s most popular leader.
The Washington Post said that Khan is pushing hard to return to power.
According to Time magazine: “On the streets of Islamabad, hundreds of protesters blocked major highways, while others tore down road signs and sections of overpasses, threw stones and set fires.”
Pakistani media trends
As international media reports extensively covered the arrest of Imran Khan and the events that followed, the local media also covered it from several angles showing how the PTI leaders were arrested and How the hooliganism of the protesters wreaked havoc across the country.
Other media reported the ongoing campaign to arrest PTI leaders from various places.
Another local media group showed a recording of an audio call between the two party leaders in which a house was vandalized.
The police have brought the violence under control and the protesters seem to be retreating. However, it remains to be seen how far the situation will go down.
The dire state of affairs across the country has fueled uncertainty over the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) bailout program, which has long been in the balance between high interest rates and crippling inflation.