Pakistan is in a state of mayhem and anarchy after the arrest of Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan and leader of PTI. Nobody had thought of his arrest in such a dramatic manner, not even Imran Khan himself. Equally astonishing is the violent response of the workers of PTI and general supporters of Imran Khan. There is a history of persecution of top Pakistani leaders including the Prime Minister once they fell out with the generals of the army, but people in general remained loyal to the army as it is the role model for the highly radicalised Pakistanis. This is a different situation this time. Pakistanis are attacking military vehicles and bunlows of military officers. Arson and looting have become the rule of the day.  The Police and Pakistan Rifles have failed to quell the mob of violent protesters. The much famed armed forces of Pakistan have lost its sheen.
   The developments in Pakistan since then have been quite tumultuous. The army, Shahbaz Sharif and Imran Khan have been taking shifting stands. Imran Khan was emboldened by the public outburst against his arrest and icing on the cake was the court's order granting him bail giving the message that it was with Imran and against army. Imran, too, walked an extra mile by openly humiliating the army by reminding them of their humiliating surrender before the Indian army in 1971. It is another matter that the surrender had been led by his own uncle.
    It is understood that the army officers refused to take orders from their bosses and this gave a field day to the workers of PTI Party and other supporters of Imran who left a blazing trail of arson and anarchy in Islamabad and some other cities. The situation was brought under control after the army took strong punitive action against those defiant officers who did not act on the orders of their superior. The army is putting its house in order with utmost sincerity. It threatened Imran and his supporters of dire consequences . Though Imran is trying to appear tough, his shifting stand against army clearly shows that he is frightened. He attacks army one moment and throws olive branch the other.
     The situation in Pakistan is highly volatile and it will be premature to predict a definite outcome. Meanwhile,  Shahbaz Shareef is hinting at India's hand in the whole turmoil. It is quite logical as it is a time tested panacea for all ills in Pakistan for any ruling dispensation there. Therefore, a terrorist attack or some serious skirmish on the border might be coming. However, China has the biggest stake in Pakistan as it has invested there hugely and it will do its best to keep Pakistan peaceful and stable.
     There will be no disintegration of Pakistan as no powerful country is openly backing the disruptive forces there. The repeat of 1971 is not possible. Neither China nor America will like the balkanisation of Pakistan. America has been showing Gilgit and Baltistan as an integral part of Pakistan since long and not as a disputed territory as India claims. GB is close to Wakhon Corridor and therefore,  strategically very important. The crisis in Pakistan is a serous cause of concern for us. India needs to closely monitor each and every development over there so that timely and proper steps could be taken.
Banshidhar Rukhaiyar
The writer is a noted academician and political commentator.  Views expressed in the article are his own.