The Political situation of the country these days is running dynamically unstable and uncertain. The long march led by Former PM Imran Khan eight days ago faced a tragedy in the form of assassination attempt on Imran Khan as the march was passing by Wazirabad City (Punjab). On 3^rd November as Imran’s rally was passing by Wazirabad, two assassins opened fire from two different directions directly on the container of Imran Khan targeting him. Imran Khan received 3-4 bullets in his leg and was wounded along with 11 other party leaders and workers standing around. One of PTI worker named Mouzzam got killed in the attack. Both the assassins were captured by the public and were taken into custody by Police. Supports of Imran Khan have wroth since then and protests throughout the country has started hinting further political and civil chaos. Imran Khan had earlier frequently mentioned the information of assassination attempt being planned against him by his opposers. He earlier many times during his public addresses has also said based on his intelligence sources that those who are planning to kill him will portray the assassination to be based on religious hatred/extremism. His predictions seem to be true as the assassination attempt was executed and right after just a while, the video of one  the captured assassin (Naveed Bashir Arain)  was released in which he claims to basis of his attack to be a religious different and grudge. Two back to back videos of the assassin has raised many questions and suspicions as this act is very unusual and unprofessional according to the standard protocols of investigation authorities. Imran Khan on 4^th November addressed his supporters through video link from the hospital in which he has put the blame of the assassination attempt & planning on three persons i.e PM Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and Major General Faisal of Pakistan army. He said in his video address that these three persons are directly involved in his assassination planning and attempt and there three persons must step down of their positions as an unbiased and neutral investigation of the case can not be done under the authority of these three. Imran Khan’s Long March  was reported prone to a serious terror threat as according to initial earlier findings of an intelligence agency a defunct militant group in Punjab was suspected to target the participants in an attempt to create panic in the country. Responding to former PM Imran Khan, military media wing ISPR said that that the baseless and irresponsible allegations by Chairman PTI against the institution and particularly a senior army officer are absolutely unacceptable and uncalled for and Pakistan army prides itself for being an extremely professional and well disciplined organisation with a robust and highly effective internal accountability system applicable across the board for unlawful acts, if any, committed by uniformed personnel.” ISPR announces “However, if the honour, safety and prestige of its rank and file is being tarnished by vested interests through frivolous allegations, the institution will jealousy safeguard its officers and soldiers no matter what.” ISPR condemns former PM Imran Khan saying that the allegations hurled at the institution/officials are highly regrettable and strongly condemned. No one will be allowed to defame the institution or its soldiers with impunity.ISPR has demanded the  government of Pakistan has been requested to investigate the matter and initiate legal action against those responsible for defamation and false accusations against the institution and its officials without any evidence whatsoever. Countering ISPR, PTI’s central leader & former federal minister Asad Umer has in a statement cleared that Imran Khan has never spoken against the institutions but specific individuals. He further said “ infact Imran Khan has spoken about the need to strengthen institutions”. He added “Criticism over individuals should not be called criticism over institutions”.  Imran Khan in his last statement has said that he’ll rejoin and continue the march towards capital as soon as he gets discharged from the hospital and that he won’t stop his struggle against the status quo.

Apart from the political situation, in recent days militancy and counter militancy incidents were also reported from some parts of the country specifically Balochistan and KPK. (Listed as following in chronological  order)!

 ·       On 28^th October, Baloch Liberation Army BLA  released an official statement in which it extended the deadline of the offer of releasing the two captured Pakistani Soldiers in a prisoner swap deal. These two Pakistani soldiers were captured a month ago from Harnai’s Zardaalo area. Pakistan Millitary is however more interested in conducting a rescue operation rather than opting for a prisoner swap as the demands of BLA are high profile. BLA warned in their statement that if Pakistani government will not show interest in the offer than they will kill the captured soldiers.  However although week's deadline had  expired on 4th November but till now there is no statement has been made by  BLA regarding this. In return for the agreement, the Pakistani army has stepped up operations in Bolan risking lived of the captured soldiers.

·       On 28^th October, BLA militants destroyed a communication tower belonging to ‘ufone’ in district Kalat’s Mangchar area. BLA have been destroying communication towers earlier as well.

·       On 28^th October, a team of security personnel escorting an anti-polio team was targeted in Tank district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. After an exchange of fire the attackers left their motorcycle and fled the scene, all teams remained safe as per statement by police.

·       On 28^th October, a survey team of the local government that went to assess the damages by floods in Dera Ismail Khan district of Khyber Pakhtunhwa came under attack by militants. Local officials say two security personnel who were injured lost their lives while another is hospitalised.

·       On 28^th October, Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Balochistan in an IBO arrested the BLA  terrorist who had earlier killed the former Chief Justice Balochistan High Court, Muhammad Noor Meskanzai, has been arrested. In a confessional statement, he has admitted that he received orders from neighbouring country (India).

·       On 29^th October, Fire exchange took place between Pakistani troops and terrorists, in general area Darazinda, District Dera Ismail Khan. Pakistani troops effectively engaged the terrorist’s location. During intense exchange of fire, Naik Sajid Hussain (age 33 years, resident of Khushab) & Sepoy Muhammad Israr (age 26 years, resident of Attock) having fought gallantly, embraced Shahadat. Clearance of the area is being carried out to eliminate any terrorists found in the area. On the other hand as per TTP’s version, TTP has accepted the responsibility of targeting the military in DI Khan, while also claiming at least 4 casualties. As per TTP, it also managed to capture some weapons - and it also released a photo with its statement.

·       On 29^th October, two Iranian nationals were arrested by FIA at Karachi airport with fake Pakistani travel documents as they tried to board a flight to the UAE.

·       On 29^th October, CTD arrested two high profile wanted terrorists named Tariq alias having head money of 2 million and half million rupees respectively. Both terrorists were arrested during a search operation in Kohat.

·       On 29^th October, Pro-IEA sources  reported about the killing of two Afghan Taliban in Peshawar. They didn't specify if who killed them. One victim was named Ahmad Kochai. The body of an Afghan Taliban member, Ahmad Kochi, who was  abducted from Pakistan’s Peshawar district ten days ago, was recovered from the adjacent Nowshera. Sources close to Kochi told he went to Peshawar for treatment with his cousin, where Pakistani intelligence abducted them.  It is to be noted here that recently, unknown gunmen killed several key members of the TTP in Afghanistan.

·       On 30^th October at around 2 am, several  militants attacked a police checkpost in Daraband  area of Dera Ismail Khan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. . 2 people including a policeman & an employee of the wildlife department were shot dead while 4 policemen have been reported injured. TTP has claimed responsibility for the attack.

·       On 30^th October, a Pakistani security post was targeted with a hand grenade in a cowardly attack by a BLF militant near Turbat’s starplus market. BLF has claimed to kill one and injure one Pakistani soldiers.

·       On 30^th October, BLA militants targeted a military vehicle in a convoy with IED is it was travelling on main highway near Kalat city. BLA claims to kill atleast one while injuring 5 soldiers of Pakistani Army.

·       On 30^th October, local Journalist Sadaf Naeem lost her life while covering Imran Khan's long march as she slipped while trying to get off from the moving container which housed Imran Khan and other prominent PTI leaders.

·       On 30^th October, during  the ongoing operation against the accused of Karachi’s machar colony incident, one of the accused (named Sharfo)  got seriously injured when he fired upon police hence police counter fired. Till last update received, 40 accused were arrested during the operation by Police.

·       On 30^th October, it was reported that unknown gunmen targeted Mufti Ghulam Farid Haqqani in Peshawar near ring road while he was leaving for Isha prayers from his home in Shams Ul Qamar town. Investigations have been started by the authorities.

·       On 30^th October, Captain Ayaz Khan Mulazai, an engineering soldier of the Pakistan Army, embraced shahadat in a terrorist ambush on his checkpost near the Taftan border (near Iran) at night time.

·       On 31^st October, Two Pakistan Army’s SSG commandos Sepoy Qaiser Abbasi and Sepoy Shafiullah got martyred in clash with BLA Militants in Bolan. There were  reports received from Bolan that heavy clashes had taken place between Pakistani armed forces and Baloch fighters in the valley. It was reported that Since 30 October, an Intelligence Based Operation had commenced in general area Kaman Pass near Shahrig (Balochistan) to clear a hideout of Terrorists. Security Forces were heli-dropped near suspected location of terrorists to cut the escape routes and clear the hideout. However, during the establishment of blocking positions, terrorists opened fire onto the Security Forces, resulting into loss of two. During ensuing heavy exchange of fire, 4 Terrorists had been killed while a cache of arms and ammunition including Improvised Explosive Devices have been recovered. The clearance operation, however, continues to apprehend other terrorists in the area. The operation was intensified on the third day as reports of presence of jets was also received while BLA claimed it had further killed 8 more soldiers on third day. The operation till date is still actively ongoing.

·       On 31^st October @ night time BLA militants attacked a combine check post of Police and FC at Joint road of Quetta city.

·       On 31^st October, TTP commander and governor of Kohat division Omar Mukaram Khorasani, allegedly Omar Khalid Khorasani's successor,  published a statement on social media confirming the deaths of TTP militants Bismillah Khan & Mudassar Iqbal, reportedly killed earlier last week.

·       On 1^st November, Indian Army killed four Kashmiri Freedom Fighters in two separate operations conducted in Southern Kashmir’s Anantnag and Pulwama districts. Kashmiri local leaders have called upon the World and Pakistani Army to help Kashmiris against Occupation and cruelty of Indian Forces.

·       On 1^st November, 2 back to back acts of militancy were registered by BLA militants as after destroying an electricity pylon an attacked an outpost of Pakistani security forces in Mach area of District Bolan, Balochistan.

·       On 1^st November, a sub engineer (M.Furqan) of ‘Karachi water & sewerage board’ was assassinated in the western outskirt (Manghopir) of Karachi by unknown biker assassin. Police has started the investigation considering it to be a case of target killing.

·       On 1^st November, alleged Islamic State Pakistan Province (ISPP) Armed person(s) Attacked on Policemen, Killing 2, in Nushki, Balochistan, Pakistan. Intelligence agencies have started their investigation.

·       On 1^st November, Teḥrīk-e-Ṭālibān Pākistān took responsibility for killing a policeman “in retaliation” on the same day in Killi Tarata area of Pishin district. Name of the Policeman was Zain. It’s the second incident of attack on police in Pishin in a week.

·       On 1^st November, some TTP militants came in clash with police personnel after the latter tried to stop TTP militants during night in Kulachi tehsil, DI Khan district. 3 policemen were allegedly killed by the militants.

·       On 2^nd November, Balochistan Liberation Front’s militants attacked on a Pakistani military outpost in the Heronk area of district Kech. Several casualties on both sides are reported.

·       On 3^rd November, a Sub Inspector of Police Special Branch was shot dead in front of his house in Katlang, Mardan, Khyber Pukhtunkhwa at evening. The area had been cordoned off and investigation had been initiated by the Police However TTP, in a later statement, has claimed the attack.

·       On 4^th November BLF claimed responsibility of torching a supplier truck belonging to FWO (Army owned construction company) in Chokaap area of district Kech.  The driver was released because of his locality but with a warning of not collaborating with the state.

·       On 4^th November, CTD apprehended two terrorists of UBA ( United Baloch Army) in an IBO from Mastung. Nouroz and Zaheer both are notified terrorists and carry reward money of 1 million and 5 lac rupees, respectively, notified by Government of Balochistan. Investigation is underway.

·       On 4^th November, The motorway toll plaza was attacked by PTI protestors (in reaction of attack on Imran Khan)  on the in Peshawar leading to Islamabad. The employees at the toll plaza have abandoned the toll plaza at M2.

Moreover TTP has shared a count of their terror attacks throughout Pakistan in the month of October. According to the provided stats, Pakistani Taliban (TTP) carried out 43 attacks in October in four provinces of Pakistan:— 39 attacks in the 14 districts of Khyber Pukhtoonkhawa province — Two in Baluchistan (Quetta and Pashin districts) — One each in the provincial capital of Punjab and Sindh. Plus TTP member Molana Khalid Qureshi has advised Manzoor Pashteen (through a public letter) to start armed struggle against oppressive Pakistani state as protests and sit-ins are not part of Pashtun traditions, and stop calling Taliban the stooges of Pakistani army. Also on 5^th November Hafiz Gul Bahadur led group of Pakistani Taliban has published a 7 minute long video featuring Hafiz Saddamullah aka Hamza via its official channel. Hamza allegedly carried out a suicide attack in Mir Ali tehsil, in September, which targeted a military convoy.

Apart from the this, recent developments in terms of relations with international community have also been observed last week. Most notably has been the recent visit of China by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. During their meeting on 2^nd November Chinese President Xi Jinping and Pakistani PM agreed to launch a high-speed rail project that could cost $9.8 billion. The project involves upgrading a 1,871-kilometer colonial-era track from Karachi to Peshawar to carry high-speed trains. Pakistan formally approved the project this week. Moreover on 31^st October, Ayesha Farooqui, Pakistan's designated ambassador to Ireland, met with President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi. The President told her that there is a need to substantially increase the bilateral trade volume between Pakistan and Ireland. He further said that Irish companies should be invited to invest in Pakistan. The move will help take the mutually beneficial and friendly relations between the two countries to the next level. President ordered the designated-ambassador to highlight human rights violations in Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir by Indian occupation forces. “Jammu and Kashmir is an international dispute, it should be resolved according to the relevant resolutions of the Security Council and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. The international community, especially the United Nations and its human rights machinery, should take note of the rapidly worsening situation of Islamophobia in India” the President of Pakistan said. Moreover it was reported on 29^th October by Pakistan’s Foreign Office through a statement that Pakistani National, Mr. Saif Ullah Paracha, detained in Guantanamo Bay for 17 years, has recently been released. Paracha, 74, was captured at Bangkok airport by the FBI following his landing there from Karachi for a business meeting. Paracha was arrested over allegations of financial transactions for senior al-Qaeda members responsible for the September 11 plot and for helping them smuggling explosives into the US. However, he had not been charged with a crime over the years. His son Uzair Paracha was also arrested months before his father by the federal court of New York on the charge of helping suspected militants to enter the US. Sentenced to 30 years in jail in 2005, in 2021 he was released after the judge dismissed witness accounts.

 Analysis

 Pakistan needs political stability more than anything else at current time because situation has reached a critical stage since assassination attempt on Imran Khan as he was on his move towards the capital along with massive number of protesters. There has been immense tension between the government (including top officials at establishment) and PTI. The popularity of Imran is obvious to all and the massive supporters of him are very angry over the recent events. Unless there is a peaceful solution reach, there are many chances of an upcoming chaos or as some are saying ‘a blood revolution’. The external enemies of Pakistan also seem to enjoy and take advantage of Pakistan’s situation by intervening as per their interests.  It is being observed that state controlled Indian media and specifically Major Gaurav Arya are running a new propaganda of being “apparently pro-Imran”. Major Gaurav Arya in his latest videos is seen to be praising Imran Khan (upon his conflict with Establishment and PDM)  and saying that Imran as Pakistan’s PM favours India.  Now this is an obvious propaganda. These Indian media anchors and defense analysts like Major Gaurav used to be totally against Imran Khan when he was PM and they (Indians) really felt threatened and opposed by Imran. Mainly because of Imran’s rigid policy over Kashmir (which he had mentioned several times on global forms including UN), and because of he had halted trade with India, and because he continuously condemned Indian human rights violations within India and criticised PM Modi and his policies internationally by comparing him with Hitler again and again. Now How can it be that Indian think tanks and media all of a sudden have forgotten Imran’s Policy for India and shifted totally from hating him to praising him?

The only obvious answer that makes sense is that they want to defame Imran Khan by creating a propagated delusion among Pakistanis that IK and India are on same page. This way the can reduce his popularity considering the ultimate hatred for India amongst general Pakistani public. The propaganda is obvious. But another question to be asked here is that why India want to defame Imran ? Who in Pakistan would be benefitted if Imran’s popularity reduces ? Answer to the first question in my opinion is that they want to defame him so that he may not come back to power (which is unfavourable to India). This means that our rivals think that Imran is bad for then.  The answer to the second question is that in Pakistan all those would be benefitted if Imran’s popularity is decreased who are currently opposing Imran Khan. That means all PDM including Nawaz/Shahbaz, Zardari and some officials in military and civil establishment (who are anti Imran).

Last but not the least, as a part of his propaganda, the RAW backed defence journalist/analyst Major Gaurav has also been launching a campaign to send money to support Imran Khan. That way he intends to show that Imran Khan is funded by Indians and involved in foreign funding and money laundering etc.