Political violence in Pakistan: A nation on the brink of division?

 

 

 

Pakistan’s struggle for peace and stability is far from over. As the government seeks accountability for those responsible for this violent protest, the need for healing has never been more pressing. PTI’s leadership must be held accountable for their role in inciting violence, spreading misinformation, and damaging the country’s social fabric. 

On November 25, 2024, Pakistan found itself embroiled in yet another wave of political violence, this time at the hands of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party of the jailed former prime minister Imran Khan. What started as a protest quickly escalated into a violent confrontation that left the country reeling. 

Despite clear legal directives and unprecedented concessions from the government, PTI's leadership, particularly under the direction of Murad Saeed, ignored the rule of law and led thousands of protesters into clashes with security forces. 

 

The aftermath of this event has not only caused significant loss of life and property but has also highlighted a growing, dangerous trend in Pakistan’s politics—one where violence, misinformation, and division threaten the very fabric of the nation.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) had intervened in an attempt to maintain order, instructing the interior minister to engage with PTI's leadership and ensure their protests did not disrupt the peace, especially in the capital's Red Zone, where key government buildings and foreign embassies are located. Initially, PTI was asked to delay the protest for the sake of national stability, but after PTI's insistence, the government offered them Sangjani, a designated location far from the sensitive zones.olence-pakistan-nation-brink-division.

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