Imran Khan’s current legal problems may hamper his political aspirations.
In what was said to be a ‘litmus test’ for Imran Khan and his party as the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Inshaf (PTI) clinched victory in the by-elections held on Sunday. The question arises whether Khan will build momentum in coming days to pressure the government to announce a date for early elections.
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Khan contested seven out of eight seats of the National Assembly and made history by winning six of them, and his party grabbed eight seats out of 11 up for grabs, according to unofficial results. The sweeping victory in the by-election is a sign of mass support for the political narrative he has put forward.
Khan had urged people to come out in large numbers to vote.
“This is a referendum for Haqiqi Azadi from the cabal of crooks. We are contesting against all of PDM, the Election Commission and ‘namaloom afraad’,” he said in a tweet.
Despite being marred by the audio leaks, Khan’s overwhelming victory is seen as a demoralizing defeat for Shehbaz Sharif’s government and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz’s supporters. The political drama unfolds with each passing day as the government confronts an economic crisis, debt repayment obligations, and the aftermath of devastating floods that have cost the country over $30 billion in losses.
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PTI Secretary General Asad Umar said that Imran Khan would not return to the National Assembly after winning the latest by-elections, reaffirming the chairman’s demand for the announcement date of the general elections. The coalition government had categorically rejected the idea of early elections, and Khan’s recent win will unlikely make it reconsider its stance.
As part of his efforts to push for early elections, Khan has held massive rallies across the country and inspired popular support. The road to Islamabad, and ultimately to the general elections, will not be a walk in the park as the deposed prime minister faces litigation, including illegal foreign funding from the US, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates — a substantial setback in his political struggle. A criminal conviction could see Khan being barred from running for office for five years.
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The current political noise amid Khan’s by-election victory may be deafening for a few days at best. Khan would seek any possibility to sell his narrative and launch an anti-government march on the federal capital. The government would certainly not let his party capitalize on the momentum. Holding the federal capital hostage to political demands and creating social unrest may be his final trump card to coerce the government, as the audio leak saga did not impact the former prime minister’s popularity.
Khan’s supporters are waiting for his ‘final call’ to long-march to Islamabad; however, until Khan’s legal woes clear up, they may have to wait longer, or will they be kept waiting?
