Pakistan has locked down Imran Khan's stronghold - but it could backfire

Thousands of Imran Khan's supporters have been rallying for days throughout the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, demanding his release. Schools have closed, the internet has been partially shut down, and roads are blocked by shipping containers as the army arrives in town. Imran Khan's party stronghold is now under a state of emergency, with his party's provincial government suspended. This marks another dramatic escalation in the standoff between the former prime minister's supporters and the Pakistani state, raising fears of increased instability.

According to the federal government, this step, allowed by the constitution, was necessary to protect the province's population from the threat of terrorism. Attah Tarrar, the federal information minister, stated, "The PTI KPK government was hand in glove with the terrorists," although he did not provide evidence for this claim. Two days later, schools had reopened in Peshawar and most parts of the province, and internet services had been restored. While police would not confirm any detentions, a crackdown is clearly underway to prevent protests, with many PTI leaders going into hiding.

On Tuesday, dozens of PTI supporters took to the streets in Bara, Khyber district, the hometown of provincial Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. Reports indicated the use of tear gas in the area. The timing of the emergency rule announcement is seen by many observers as not coincidental. For the past week, thousands of Khan's supporters have marched through Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the PTI has been in power for 13 years, demanding Khan's release.