AFP: With military courts, intimidation of the press and mass arrests, Pakistan’s rulers are seeking to destroy former prime minister Imran Khan’s support ahead of elections, analysts say.
Khan’s brief arrest earlier this month sparked days of street protests.
Islamabad has labelled the violence “anti-state”, justifying huge roundups and the revival of army courts to try civilians who targeted government and military buildings.
Journalists, lawyers and activists in Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party report campaigns of intimidation and influence which they blame on the “establishment.”
“They want to make it clear to Imran Khan that he can’t fight with the establishment,” said analyst Hasan Askari.
“People are being broken,” he said. “By exerting pressure in different ways, they are trying to put the politicians in their place.”
The military’s media wing did not respond to repeated requests for comment by said.