IntelBrief: Pakistan’s Deepening Political Crisis Poses Threats to Press Freedom and Political Stability

Bottom Line Up Front

• Imran Khan’s arrest on May 9^th has spurred a domestic political crisis that has exposed the fragility of political processes and press freedom in Pakistan and further endangered Khan’s political future.
• Reports indicate that the military has intimidated members of Khan’s party (PTI), leading to mass resignations and creating significant obstacles for Khan to leverage his popularity into electoral victories now without strong individual candidates from his party.
• Imran Khan’s name has reportedly been banned from the media following a directive by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PERMA) and a secret meeting hosted by the military.
• This political crisis has further complicated Pakistan’s efforts to secure vital financial assistance as potential donors have expressed the importance of political stability in the country, diminishing Pakistan’s options to avert economic catastrophe.