Former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Enduring Influence: A Year in Jail and Still Dominating Pakistan’s Politics
Fiona Nanna, ForeMedia News
5 minutes read. Updated 1:21AM GMT Sat, 5August, 2024
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has now been incarcerated for a full year, yet his influence remains as potent as ever in Pakistan’s political landscape. Despite being behind bars, Khan continues to exert significant control over the nation’s opposition politics, with his name frequently appearing in news stories and legal proceedings. His unwavering support on social media further underscores his lasting impact.
Khan’s absence from the public eye has not diminished his prominence. With minimal contact allowed, his family and legal team serve as his primary channels to communicate with the outside world. According to his sister, Aleema Khanum, despite his confinement, Khan remains unshaken and resolute. “There is still a swagger about him,” she says. “He’s got no needs, no wants – only a cause.”
Reports from those permitted to visit Khan describe a man who remains active and mentally engaged. His days are filled with exercise, reading, and reflection, and he uses his limited time outside his cell for walks around the prison courtyard. “He has said ‘I’m not wasting a minute of my time in jail; it’s an opportunity for me to gain more knowledge,’” Khanum shared with the BBC.
However, the harsh reality is that both Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, remain imprisoned with no immediate prospects for release. Michael Kugelman, Director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center, comments, “There was no expectation that Mr. Khan was going to do anything that would make it easy for him to get out of jail. The military doesn’t ease up when they decide there’s a political figure that they want to lock up.” The military’s role has been pivotal throughout Khan’s political career, from initially supporting him to ultimately contributing to his downfall.
Khan’s arrest on May 9, 2023, following his ousting in a vote of no confidence, triggered widespread protests, some of which escalated into violence. The aftermath saw a media blackout on Khan’s image and voice, and his brief release only led to further legal battles. By August 5, 2023, Khan was re-incarcerated on charges related to the sale of state gifts. His legal troubles compounded as he faced multiple lengthy prison sentences by early February 2024, just before the elections.
Despite the challenges, Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party managed to secure a significant number of seats in the February elections, demonstrating Khan’s enduring appeal. “We were determined and wanted to make a statement,” said Salman Akram Raja, Khan’s lawyer and a candidate in the election. “The loss of the cricket bat symbol was a significant setback, but we still performed remarkably well.”
The election results highlighted Khan’s strong political message, even from behind bars. Yet, the current political climate has not shifted drastically. “We are really where we might expect to be given past precedent,” Kugelman notes. The PTI did not form a government, and the coalition in power is backed by military interests.
Recent developments have seen some legal victories for Khan. A United Nations panel declared his detention arbitrary, and Pakistan’s Supreme Court acknowledged the PTI as an official party entitled to reserved seats. Despite these rulings, practical impacts remain elusive, with Khan and Bibi still imprisoned and facing new charges. The government has indicated intentions to ban PTI, and the military maintains a firm stance against Khan.
Analysts believe that resolving the stalemate will require Khan to navigate his relationship with the military. “I think we can come up with an arrangement that gives everyone a way out and allows the system to function,” suggests Khan’s lawyer, Raja. Khan himself has called for the military to “stay neutral” and suggested snap elections, though the practicality of these demands is debated.
For now, Imran Khan’s saga continues, reflecting the complexities of Pakistani politics and the ongoing influence of one of its most prominent figures, even from behind bars.
