Despite facing significant political and legal challenges, including his arrest, convictions, and being barred from holding public office, Imran Khan continues to command substantial support in Pakistan.
Here’s a summary of his standing:
* Enduring Popularity: Even from prison, Khan retains a strong following, particularly among young people. Surveys have consistently shown his approval ratings to be high, often leading other political figures. His party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), managed to secure a significant number of seats in the February 2024 elections, with PTI-aligned independent candidates winning the most seats, despite alleged efforts to suppress their campaign.
* Political Challenges: Khan was removed from the Prime Minister’s office in April 2022 through a no-confidence vote. Since then, he has faced numerous legal cases, leading to convictions and jail sentences on charges ranging from corruption to misuse of power and leaking state secrets. He and his party maintain these charges are politically motivated.
* PTI’s Resilience: Despite a crackdown on PTI leaders and workers, and the party being effectively banned from using its traditional election symbol, its supporters showed remarkable ingenuity in campaigning, including using AI-generated speeches of Khan. The PTI-backed independents performed strongly in the 2024 elections, demonstrating the continued public support for Khan’s political narrative.
* Ongoing Struggle: Khan and the PTI continue to allege electoral manipulation and demand his release. His incarceration remains a central point of political discourse and a source of ongoing tensions in Pakistan.
In essence, while Imran Khan’s political career has been severely impacted by legal and institutional actions, his popular appeal among a significant segment of the Pakistani population appears to remain robust.