ISLAMABAD: Imran Khan, the ousted Prime Minister of Pakistan, is facing significant challenges as thousands of his supporters remain imprisoned, key party members defect, and a potential ban looms over his political party. Khan himself may even face a summons before a military court.
Imran Khan conducts live broadcasts and interviews on social media platforms, aiming to maintain the narrative that he has not lost his chances of re-election.
However, with his Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party experiencing a notable depletion, it becomes increasingly challenging for Khan to make a persuasive argument. This week alone, over two dozen party colleagues, including Fawad Chaudhry, the former senior vice president, and Shireen Mazari, the former human rights minister, left the party.
Imran Khan Resilient Amidst Crisis
In an interview with BBC News, Khan expressed his resilience amidst the crisis. Khan acknowledges the vacancies left by those who have departed and suggests that new, younger members will be recruited to fill the positions.
However, he also predicts that these newcomers may face arrests as well. When questioned about the feasibility of running a political party under such circumstances, Khan responds, “You can use these terror tactics for only a short time. The whole situation is untenable.”
Khan appears to have adopted a more conciliatory tone, expressing a desire to engage in dialogue with the government.
Since his ousting last year, Khan has faced numerous charges, including corruption and sedition. His recent arrest on May 9 was not unexpected, following the breakdown of talks concerning the scheduling of provincial and national elections.
Khan denies any similarity between the arrest of his party leaders and the imprisonment of political opponents during his own tenure. He claims that the majority of cases against the opposition predate his administration.
