Arrest or unrest.

Byline: Shahnoor Waqas Malik

WITH over 76 cases registered against Imran Khan as per the former Prime Minister of Pakistan himself, along with his reluctance to attend his court hearings has allowed the issuing of the non-bailable arrest warrants against him. With the simple matter of appearing in the court to avoid arrest, prolong the case or post bail for his release, the country has seen countless attempts of the Police to arrest him - only to result in civil unrest.

The police are portrayed as the enemy while the rioters are seen as the good guys protecting their leader against what essentially is the Rule of Law. While the common man waits weeks, months and years for their legal cases to be pursued, one man simply refuses to attend - citing allegations of torture and conspiracy to murder if in custody.

This message has been reflected by the behaviour of his followers to uprise, to not submit to legal authority but to undermine/challenge whoever shows authority. With so many truly believing in/supporting Imran Khan, the country continues to suffer in its divide over those who support him and those against him. If the court orders an arrest warrant for him, the legal system is labeled corrupt - if the police initiate the arrest warrant, the police are labelled as compromised - if politicians question his absence of respect for the law, they are alleged to be corrupt themselves.

While it's true that a helicopter flew from Islamabad to Lahore with the intent to present Imran Khan with his arrest warrant - the same is true that followers all over Pakistan have traveled to Lahore for their support of him outside his Zaman Park residence.

As it furthers the fact that people truly see and believe in Imran Khan and his vision. It's simply not reciprocated by the...