Former Prime Minister Imran Khan has spent a year behind bars, yet his presence continues to dominate Pakistan’s political scene. Despite being out of the public eye, Khan remains a significant force in opposition politics, with his name frequently appearing in media and courts. His supporters on social media remain vocal, rallying around him as he remains imprisoned.
Khan’s family and legal team are his primary links to the outside world, using their visits to convey his resilience and unshaken spirit. “There is still a swagger about him,” says his sister, Aleema Khanum. “He’s got no needs, no wants—only a cause.” Those who visit him report that Khan spends his days exercising, reading, and reflecting, making the most of his time in confinement. He is allotted one hour daily to walk in the courtyard and is eager for new reading material, which sometimes leads to delays.
Despite his resolve, Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, remain incarcerated with no imminent release in sight. “There was no expectation that Mr. Khan would do anything to make his release easier,” notes Michael Kugelman, Director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center. The powerful Pakistani military, which has played a significant role in Khan’s political trajectory, remains a key factor in his continued imprisonment. “The military doesn’t ease up when they decide to imprison a political figure,” Kugelman adds.
Khan’s relationship with the military, once pivotal to his rise to power, deteriorated significantly. After his ouster in a 2022 no-confidence vote, Khan was arrested on May 9 last year. His arrest sparked widespread protests, some of which turned violent, leading to attacks on military buildings, including the residence of a senior army official in Lahore.
Following his arrest, Pakistan’s media was reportedly instructed to avoid showing his image or mentioning his name. Khan was briefly released but was re-arrested on August 5 for failing to declare the sale of state gifts, marking the beginning of a series of legal challenges. By February, just days before the elections, Khan had accumulated multiple long prison sentences, including a 14-year term.
As the elections approached, Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party faced significant hurdles. Many candidates were in prison or hiding, and the party lost its iconic cricket bat symbol, crucial for identification in a country with a high illiteracy rate. Despite these setbacks, PTI candidates won a significant number of seats, forcing rivals to form alliances to counter them. The PTI’s success in the elections, even under constrained conditions, was seen as a testament to Khan’s enduring influence.
While Khan’s incarceration and the ruling coalition’s reliance on military support suggest limited immediate change, supporters view the February 8 elections as a turning point. “Change is coming, it is in the air,” Aleema Khanum asserts. However, Kugelman points out that the practical impact has been minimal, with the status quo largely intact.
Recent developments suggest a glimmer of hope for Khan and his supporters, but the road to significant political change remains uncertain.
