Facing a host of crises, nuclear-armed Pakistan is torn between a military-backed government and a popular and rebellious former prime minister, Imran Khan, as the formerly America-allied country falls under Beijing’s spell. 

The Islamabad parliament, which is controlled by the government, on Wednesday was weighing a motion to outlaw Mr. Khan’s party, Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf. The motion, if passed, would formally block Mr. Khan’s return to power in the next national election, likely in October.