For most of Pakistan’s eight-decade history, its courts were largely aligned with the country’s powerful military.
In recent months, as former Prime Minister Imran Khan has clashed with the military and current civilian government, the courts have issued ruling after ruling that have thwarted what many consider attempts by the military to sideline Mr. Khan from politics.
That defiance was highlighted earlier this month, when shortly after the authorities arrested Mr. Khan in a corruption inquiry, the courts declared his arrest unlawful, ordered his release and granted him bail.
It is a striking shift in Pakistan, where the military has long acted as the country’s ultimate political power broker: Directly ruling for over half of the country’s existence and acting as the veiled power behind civilian governments.
And as the courts strike out on their own, they are injecting even more uncertainty into an already volatile political climate.
Persons:
Imran Khan, Khan, Mr
Locations:
Pakistan