How to Thwart Foreign Conspiracy against Pakistan?

By Sajjad Shaukat

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Atta Tarar announced 0n July 15, this year that the government has decided to ban Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), seeking Article 6 of the Constitution against its founder Imran Khan, ex-president Dr Arif Alvi, and former National Assembly deputy speaker Qasim Suri.

He elaborated: “In view of the foreign funding case, May 9 riots, and the cipher episode as well as the resolution passed in the US, we believe that there is very credible evidence present to have the PTI banned.”

Next day, Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif clarified that the government would consult with the allies to ban PTI and would send a reference to the Supreme Court, which would take a final decision.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar stated that no decision had been made in the first place, leaving everyone in limbo.

However, Khawaja Asif and leaders of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), and government’s other entities stated that PTI is already under the gun due to its anti-establishment stance—PTI is committed to anti-state ideology, anti-state policies—still boasts on its anti-state activities. Therefore the government has decided to ban it by sending a reference to the Supreme Court—the culprits involved in the incidents of May 9 should be punished.

US House of Representatives passed a resolution on June 26, this year, called for a full and independent investigation into alleged irregularities in Pakistan’s general election 2024, which former Prime Minister Imran Khan of PTI party allegedly was manipulated to deny it victory.

Pakistan has said that the US attempted to “interfere” in its internal affairs of the country.

Government’s top entities accused Imran Khan and his party’s leaders of lobbying in a bid to persuade the foreign powers and the US Congress to speak against Pakistan.

A day after the government announced its decision to ban PTI, in a press briefing, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller stated: “Certainly banning a political party would be of great concern to us”. He also commented on the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s order to give the reserved seats back to PTI.

In this regard, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said on June 26, 2024, “Pakistan believes in constructive dialogue and engagement, but such resolutions are “neither constructive nor objective”.

On June 29, this year, addressing a press conference Government’s Spokesperson on Legal Affairs Barrister Aqeel Malik alongside PML-N MNA Shaista Pervaiz Malik in Islamabad, Aqeel Malik regretted that the PTI opposed the National Assembly resolution passed to denounce the US interference in Pakistan’s domestic affairs—no Pakistani will compromise on integrity and freedom. He said that America has never raised its voice against human rights abuse in Kashmir.

Former President Arif Alvi, a senior PTI leader, called the Congress resolution a step in the “right direction”.

Like the U-turns of the past, in the recent past Imran Khan’s U-turn was that no longer, he was blaming America for his ouster as PM, but establishment led by former Chief of the Army Staff Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa removed him from power.

Following the Pakistani elections, US President Joe Biden congratulated Shehbaz Sharif of the PML-N after he took oath as the prime minister.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court of Pakistan on July 12, 2024, declared PTI eligible for minorities’ reserved seats.

It is mentionable that on July 19, this year, more than 10,000 people waving white flags gathered for the rally in Bannu against a planned operation by the Pakistan military to root out militants along the Afghan border, with at least one protester killed when gunfire broke out. The protest turned violent when crowds reached the walls of an army facility.

Impartial analysts and the government’s top officials said that the shooting was carried out by those including PTI supporters who wanted to destroy peace—the community is no longer willing to tolerate this.

Incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan and a six-party opposition alliance called for a judicial inquiry into the outbreak of violence at a peace rally in Bannu a day earlier even as the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government announced the formation of a commission for a “transparent” investigation.

In this respect, in a press conference on July 22, 2026, Director General of ISPR Lieutenant General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif clarified about the terrorist attack on Bannu Cantonment, which killed eight military personnel. He explained that locals had requested a peace march, which was agreed upon with the condition of no anti-state slogans. However, “negative elements” joined the march, chanting against the army and state, pelting stones, leading to armed individuals opening fire and causing injuries.

Lt. Gen. Sharif denounced “massive, illegal political mafia” attempting to undermine the state’s Azm-i-Istehkam (Resolve for Stability) operation for personal gain. He clarified that it is a “comprehensive counterterrorism campaign” built on national consensus, not a mere military operation. He also criticized the legal and judicial system for granting leniency to May 9 perpetrators and facilitators.

Renowned foreign human rights groups manipulated the Banu incident against Pak army to distort Pakistan’s image.

Nevertheless, Imran Khan is still showing contradictory approach, as he thinks that the entire country is standing with him, then why is he sending messages to the establishment for negotiation?

PTI is heading toward a clash by launching an organized social media campaign against Army Chief Gen. Syed Asim Munir and Chairman of National Accountability Bureau.

And Khan doesn’t want political and economic stability in the country—is consistently being used against Pakistan.

In fact, the resolution in US Congress is a conspiracy not only against Pakistan, but also against the second phase of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Both America and India have already opposed the CPEC project.

Analysts agree that in the post-election scenario, Pakistan’s multiple crises and challenges have increased and the stakes for the new coalition government would be enormously high. The most immediate task for the government would be to negotiate a new bailout agreement with the IMF, to seek a new loan to repay debt due, this year to avoid a default and stabilize the economy.

In the budget for the fiscal year 2024-25, the government was compelled to accept IMF’s key demands such as an increase in the tax revenue target, withdrawal of subsidies, taxes on the agriculture sector, increase in levy and taxes on power, gas and oil sectors, privatization of sick government organizations etc.

Earlier, with the support of other parties, especially the PPP, Mian Shehbaz Sharif of PML-leader, secured a comfortable win over the PTI, and PTI leader Omar Ayub became opposition leader.

In his maiden speech in the National Assembly, Premier Sharif listed the frail economy and precarious security situation as challenges, and invited all the political entities to pull the country out of the crisis.

The PML-N, PPP and some other political parties also asked the PTI for cooperation so as to achieve political stability. But, the PTI leaders refused any such collaboration, alleged rigging in the elections.

JUI (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman who had confirmed the contacts with the PTI, announced on March 3, this year that the party will sit on opposition benches and organize a nationwide movement against the alleged vote rigging.

PML-N and some other parties opine that if elections were rigged or establishment interfered against the PTI, PTI-backed independents would not have swept the polls in KP, winning 91 out of 113 seats.

While, military’s media wing ISPR said that on various occasions Army clarified that it had provided a security environment for the conduct of the general election, and had nothing to do with the electoral process.

In various meetings and Corps Commanders’ Conferences Army chief Gen, Syed Asim Munir repeatedly stated that that planners and instigators, and attackers of military installations on May 9, would be brought to justice under the relevant provisions of the law.

Showing uncertain approach, in an informal conversation with media representatives during the hearing of a case inside Adiala Jail, Khan, who was openly criticizing the Army in the past, again took a U-turn, and stated that the PTI was not against the Army and emphasised that the criticism over election rigging was not the criticism of the Army. He stressed that without political stability, the country could not function.

In a surprise development Chief Minister of KP Ali Amin Gandapur participated in the apex committee. He also attended an overall productive meeting of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). He assured complete cooperation and also iterated that the “SIFC an effective forum to stabilise the economy, to develop the economy and to solve the country’s issues.”  Afterwards, he changed his stance targeting the government.

On the one hand, PTI workers continue protest rallies against rigging, while on the other, the PTI has also filed cases in this respect—also about forms 45 and 47. PTI-led the Tehreek Tahafuz Ayen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) has called for nationwide protest on July 26, this year (Friday) — saying, this protest would be against the deteriorating law and order situation across the country.

At this critical hour, Pakistan’s armed forces have been coping with internal and external challenges to maintain national security. Indian fanatic rulers are also escalating tensions with Pakistan. The country is thus facing the challenge of hybrid war.

Some internal entities, particularly PTI have been distorting the Army’s image in a way that the masses should forget the sacrifices and services of the armed forces.

Recall armed forces’ innumerable services and sacrifices especially of Army such as the resettlement of the Internally Displaced Persons during the Swat and Malakand military operations, counter-insurgency operations and restoration of law and order on many occasions— like floods, earthquakes, coronavirus pandemic, locusts’ attacks; also giving matching response to Indian shelling at the Line of Control and preventing infiltration of terrorists from Afghanistan.

In the recent past, terrorist attacks particularly in KP and Balochistan which is central point of the CPEC show that the CIA-led Indian RAW wants to damage the CPEC project which is part of China’s One Road (OBOR) or Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

At this critical hour, the government, the opposition leaders, including all other segments of society must show selfless national unity which is very necessary to pull the country out of the ongoing serious crises. This is the best way to thwart foreign conspiracy against Pakistan.

Sajjad Shaukat writes on international affairs and is author of the book: US vs Islamic Militants, Invisible Balance of Power: Dangerous Shift in International Relations

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