Few challenges to Pakistan's hybrid model

Pakistan's hybrid model has only one challenge: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its leader, Imran Khan, who is behind bars on corruption charges.

- SMRUTI S PATTANAIK

The PTI has called for a nationwide protest on August 5, coinciding with Imran's arrest in 2023, and termed its agenda 'Free Imran Khan movement'.

Anticipating violence, the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif converted the Frontier Constabulary, a border security force, to the Federal Constabulary through a Presidential Ordinance, Frontier Constabulary (Reorganisation) Ordinance, 2025, ostensibly to maintain law and order and help the security agencies.

While the PTI is facing immense challenges after the arrest of Khan and other senior party leaders, it has kept its fighting spirit intact. However, some senior leaders left the party after its supporters attacked a military installation in 2023. Nearly 150 cases have been filed against Imran Khan.

Imran Khan remains behind bars despite the PTI campaign, while his sister Aleema Khan is at the forefront of the party with other leaders.

What has gone against him is his constant criticism of the country's powerful military, which he once described as saviours.

The military sees Imran as a challenge to its dominance after he fell out with them and held them responsible for his ouster from power, along with the US.

The military also played a significant role in keeping him out of the 2024 election, as it did against the PML-N in the 2018 elections.

While the PTI has been thinking of playing its street strength to pressurise the release of its leaders, with some hinting at the possibility of Imran's sons joining the scheduled protests, a statement by Sharif that Field Marshal Munir is not interested in becoming the President, brought more speculation regarding the longevity of the hybrid regime in Pakistan.

In the extended power play, the PTI contested the Army's role after Imran lost to the no-confidence motion in 2022.

His supporters did what other political parties had not done.