It began as an ordinary Tuesday evening. The wife of a Pakistani army officer stationed in a conflict area, Komal, was chopping vegetables for dinner while her two young daughters watched television.
It was about to feel very unsafe at their military base, which was probably one of the safest places in Pakistan.
When her husband called earlier than usual, Komal was taken aback. He instructed her to keep the doors locked due to attacks by Imran Khan supporters on military installations across the nation. A lieutenant general's home had already been set on fire in Lahore.
"If they could so blatantly attack a general's house, will ours be next? The thought sent shivers down my spine," says Komal, who doesn't want to use her real name.
As soon as possible, she locked the windows and doors and filled the storeroom with food in case they needed to take cover. Even considering jumping out of the second-floor window with her daughters in case the apartment caught fire, she considered how she might get out.
Komal claims, "I was terrified when I watched videos of the protests. Never before have I felt so exposed and vulnerable. " .
She was conflicted, though, because she felt betrayed as a fervent Khan supporter.
"I, along with many others, had backed Imran Khan in the hopes of seeing a change, but now I feel betrayed by the very person I had supported. "His reckless and incendiary rhetoric fueled the hatred and violence that have shook this nation," she claims.
With three military coups since Pakistan's independence in 1947, the protests represented a historically unprecedented test of the country's ruthless military establishment. Many people think that the army still controls politics even though military rule was officially ended in 2008. Furthermore, it was widely believed that Mr. Khan had their support.
Khan was referred to as the "military's darling" before his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party took office in 2018. His detractors claim that he was presented on social media by the army as Pakistan's savior and the only leader capable of opposing dynastic politicians and a dishonest ruling class.
The narrative was so ingrained in the minds of many in the army's rank and file that it didn't change after Khan and the influential military establishment fell out and he was removed from power last year.
Despite being apolitical, army doctor Gul is now enraged at Khan's supporters and requests anonymity. She was on duty the night of the riots while her parents were at home with her kids.
"I wanted to be there with them. I can't even put into words what was going through my mind: what if they are attacked, hurt, or, God forbid, killed. All night, I had trouble falling asleep. For a mother who is separated from her children, this was particularly traumatizing, according to the speaker.
However, many soldiers in the army still back Mr. Khan, who continues to enjoy widespread support among civilians as well as military rank and file.
One officer told me, under the condition of anonymity, "If given a choice, I'd vote for Imran Khan over any of the current politicians.".
An additional officer continues to back the former prime minister.
"I am truly sorry for what occurred at the general's home in Lahore, but we do not know who committed the crime; Imran Khan claims that his party members were not the ones who started the attack. But nothing has altered my viewpoint on Imran Khan. I continue to vote for him and will do so in the future. He inspires me and is a true leader, she claims.
Despite not wanting to be identified, a senior officer from a security agency claims that his subordinates frequently ask him about politics. These subordinates, whose views are influenced by the internet and social media, occasionally inquire about the military's role in the governance of the nation.
"They demand hard proof that the military establishment does not interfere in politics. We must provide convincing answers to their inquiries about its function, he says.
Retired officers, who have a say in how the army is perceived, are also fervently in favor of Mr. Khan. Former officer Raja Shahryar, who retired 15 years prior, cast his first-ever vote for him in 2018.
"My viewpoint has not changed, but I am angry about the recent events because the PTI leadership failed to prevent the protesters from attacking government buildings and property. He claims that they ought to have behaved better than the others.
Following the attacks, the army moved quickly to present a unified front. The army and its commander believed in democracy, according to a spokesperson who appeared on the Pakistani TV station Geo News. .
Despite extremist and hostile forces both inside and outside the nation's borders spreading propaganda, he claims, "the army is united.".
However, the nation is split. The degree of political polarization and expression of animosity toward the military, according to Shahryar, is something he has never seen before.
And while many military families believe that when their cantonments were attacked and some police officers were hurt, a line was crossed, PTI supporters believe that law enforcement overreached.
The protests on May 9 resulted in the deaths of over 10 protesters.
In a Quetta government hospital, Tariq Nasir spent an hour looking for his brother Omer. The 26-year-old was killed while participating in a demonstration outside a military base in the city.
The use of tear gas was widespread. For those who were impacted, Omer had salt and water in his hands. He was peaceful, unarmed, and only acting in accordance with his right to protest in a peaceful manner. He was shot in the head directly. He questions why he was shot while unarmed. .
Nasir asserted, along with many others—including Mr. Khan—that those who attacked army installations or threw stones at police were not actually PTI supporters. He thinks something is wrong.
The army has declared that those responsible for attacks on its facilities will face trial in military and counterterrorism courts.
Police departments are disseminating videos of men apologizing for vandalism while asserting that it was done at the leadership's request of the PTI. However, many claim they were forced into making these videos.
Mr. Khan claimed that those responsible for the attacks on military installations were not PTI members, and he has asked the judiciary to set up a commission to look into the incident.
Although they condemned the attacks on a general's home and other military installations, dozens of Mr. Khan's party leaders and close associates—some of whom were detained and later released—have also deserted him. .
Nasir claims that his brother perished while participating in a peaceful protest. "Khan's flag was around his neck when he was killed. He did everything for him, even dying for him. Khan was his best hope for making Pakistan better. He will eventually realize his dream. Then, perhaps, justice will be served. " .
Long accused of meddling in politics and overthrowing governments, Pakistan's powerful military establishment. Using state apparatus to forcibly remove political rivals has also been charged against ruling parties.
Within law enforcement, there is growing discontent toward both the politicians and the military.
"Like them, I'm in a uniform, and I recognize everyone. They imagine themselves to be above the law. The only person who can correct them is Khan," a policeman said. .
We only ask for a reasonable monthly salary from these politicians so we can meet our basic needs. They have failed us as well, is that too much to ask? The country is headed for the gallows because everyone—politicians and members of the military alike—is too preoccupied fighting among themselves.
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