TRUMP is a deal maker, and as part of a Kashmir deal, he seemingly sought to keep Imran in power indefinitely. Kashmir was handed to Modi during Imran’s tenure as PM under a geo-strategic policy safeguarding the Indo-Pacific treaty for prolonged one-party rule akin to other American allies. This is why Imran’s supporters viewed his White House visit as an endorsement of his indefinite stay in power. Imran himself likened the visit to winning the cricket World Cup.
Imran is not a political prisoner but a wannabe dictator who deserves accountability for the May 9 coup attempt. The West stands with Pakistan in preserving democracy against such threats. May 9 mirrored coups in Brazil, the US and the UK, with 200 military installations, including martyrs’ monuments, attacked. Brazil has already set a precedent by banning Bolsonaro from politics for eight years after the January 8 insurrection.
In contrast, the US failed to hold Trump accountable for the January 6 Capitol riots. Despite Trump’s incitement to violence, he evaded constitutional consequences, with Justice Sotomayor noting that democracy cannot allow a “king president.” Similarly, Boris Johnson’s unlawful suspension of UK Parliament went unpunished. Accountability for rogue justices is essential to safeguard democracy from such wannabe dictators. In Brazil, judges brought Bolsonaro to justice and in the US, Representative Alexandria Cortez has filed impeachment articles against justices for abusing power and threatening democracy.
Pakistan faces the “election denial” strategy seen in the US. Trump’s tactics to undermine democracy have emboldened similar efforts globally. His repeated attacks on institutions and relentless targeting of political opponents until submission echo in Imran’s actions. Both manipulate loyalty and sycophancy in appointments and political circles, undermining the rule of law and constitutional principles.
Protests by Imran and his party to influence military appointments are another troubling parallel. In the US, Trump’s handling of military generals like Milley has created deep divisions, with Republicans blocking promotions for political leverage. In Pakistan, military courts have sentenced 85 civilians, including PTI leaders, for May 9 violence, with all eyes on how democracy handles such challenges. The US and UK have taken action against those undermining law and order. Hundreds of January 6 rioters have been prosecuted in the US and the UK has issued strict sentences for public disorder. Pakistan must follow these examples to strengthen democracy and prevent copycat coups. The Supreme Court’s PTI symbol judgment, emphasizing democracy within political parties, offers a path to end loyalty-based culture and reinforce constitutional governance.
—The writer is senior political analyst based in Islamabad.
