I've known for a long time that Imran Khan is a born dictator. So it shouldn't surprise us that he cannot tolerate dissent. His henchmen sing his praises every day, whether it's for the weather or for any imaginary success of his government. I suspect that one of his staff members has nothing to do but keep a record of what good his ministers and advisors say about him, apart from blaming the opposition for bad weather and all the country's problems.
But now Imran seems to be really desperate. Journalists have been warned not to criticize his government. International journalists have already noted how the twitter accounts of some prominent critics were suspended, and how TV interviews of some opposition figures were cancelled. His finance minister Hammad Azhar got incensed when a news channel reported that he had paid practically no tax for the past five years. He got a state institution (PEMRA) to impose a penalty on HUM channel for doing this. Then the interior minister threatened to break the legs of airport staff if they didn't provide him an air conditioned vehicle to take him from the lounge to the aircraft.
All these are signs for those who have minds. Imran Khan must have been fourteen or fifteen when the riots against another dictator broke out and he had to resign in disgrace. He should learn from the past and learn to tolerate criticism. But knowing he's not much different from your average Pakistani, I doubt if he will.
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