In a shocking incident over the weekend, Azhar revealed that his father was caught by both the police and unknown persons, who took him to the police station where they searched his mobile phone and asked him Interrogated for an hour. He was later released.
Currently in hiding, Azhar has alleged that he faced intense pressure from what he described as a “fascist regime” to sever ties with former prime minister Imran Khan’s political party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
“I am facing all these difficulties only because I am standing with my party and Imran Khan,” Azhar said in a telephone interview with Reuters.
While Azhar clearly avoids implicating the influential military as the driving force behind these operations, Khan has directly accused the institution itself, openly challenging its authority. The military has either ruled the country directly or exerted considerable influence over civilian governments for the past three decades.
“It is undoubtedly the establishment,” Khan confirmed during an interview. “When we say the establishment, it obviously refers to the military establishment because now they’re out in the open – it’s not even in cover anymore – they’re operating out in the open.”
While the government and police strongly deny any coercive tactics targeting Khan’s supporters, an army spokesman has chosen not to respond to repeated requests for comment on the matter.
According to Punjab Police Chief Usman Anwar, Azhar is wanted on terrorism charges in connection with violent nationwide protests in May. Anwar justified the raid on Azhar’s residence by saying that no warrant was needed due to the seriousness of the charges. However, Azhar strongly denies these allegations.
Pakistan has been in turmoil since Imran Khan was ousted as prime minister in 2022, with Khan leading street protests calling for fresh elections. The country is suffering from a severe economic crisis characterized by inflation, currency devaluation, and increased likelihood of debt default.
Khan’s arrest in May on corruption charges, which he claims was orchestrated by the military, sparked violent protests across the country, including an airbase, military installations including the army headquarters, and the burning of the residence of a prominent general.
Challenging the authority of Pakistan’s military is unprecedented, given its long hold on the country since its independence in 1947, with a mixture of fear and respect.
A comprehensive crackdown targeting Khan’s aides and supporters has resulted in nearly 5,000 arrests since May 9, according to Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah. Human rights organizations have expressed concern over what they see as arbitrary detentions and enforced disappearances.
Several pro-Khan parliamentarians, who were arrested during the ongoing crackdown, have been re-arrested even after obtaining bail from the courts. Those who have been released have publicly distanced themselves from Khan, condemned the protests, and praised the military.
“The entire senior leadership is imprisoned,” Khan revealed during the interview. “The only way for them to secure their release is to give up their affiliation with the PTI.”
