Pakistan’s former Prime Minister, Imran Khan, experienced a dramatic turn of events as he was arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and subsequently spent 48 hours in custody. However, the Supreme Court of Pakistan intervened and ordered his immediate release, deeming his arrest as ‘unlawful’ and ‘illegal’. While this may have granted Khan a temporary reprieve, the future of his political career and his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), remains uncertain.
Imran Khan has been a prominent figure in Pakistani politics, known for his charisma and populist appeal. However, his recent offensive statements and staunch stance against the military establishment have strained his relationships with key power players in the country. He has levied serious accusations, including conspiracy and assassination attempts, against the military establishment and the current coalition government, alleging that they are curbing his freedom of expression and political movement under PTI.
Sources within think tanks and government offices suggest that Khan’s confrontations with the military establishment have significantly weakened his position. They claim that his days as a prominent political figure may be numbered, and his party’s influence is waning. The establishment seems determined to curtail Khan’s political uproar and dismantle PTI’s prominence.
Previous attempts to sideline Khan through the implementation of the “Minus-1” formula, which aimed to remove him from the political race and reduce PTI’s influence, failed to achieve the desired outcome. However, a new strategy has emerged, focusing on targeting the secondary leadership within PTI to weaken the party and isolate Khan himself. By leaving him without support, leadership, and a team to work with, Khan’s influence is expected to diminish further.
Moreover, several legal cases against Khan and his close aides continue to pose a threat to his political future. His allies are currently in jail, and there are over 150 cases pending against him. Disqualification as the party chief and trial on corruption charges loom over Khan, potentially ending his political career.
While Imran Khan remains popular among the masses, his confrontations with the military establishment and the government have eroded his support base. The establishment-government alliance appears to be united in their efforts to reduce Khan’s stature and political influence. They aim to control his narrative, tone, and emotional impact on his supporters.
In conclusion, Imran Khan’s release by the Supreme Court offers him only temporary relief. The battles he has fought with the military establishment and the government have put his political future in jeopardy. Efforts to diminish PTI’s influence and restrict Khan’s political stature continue to unfold, leaving the future of his party and his political career hanging in the balance.