Pakistan under Imran
the murderous mire of Pakistani politics. After years as the country’s political third man, his muscular charisma and anti-corruption mantra finally caught the imagination of young and middle-class Pakistanis. At the 2013 elections, the PTI broke the duopoly of the main parties. Khan was instrumental in the dismissal last year of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, jailed this month for corruption-related charges.
Yet, Khan has exposed himself to criticism that he has compromised his vision and tipped his cap to his own, and Pakistan’s, worst conservative instincts. Khan’s support for the death sentence for those convicted under Pakistan’s controversial blasphemy
patrons, China and the US,” he said.
Khan has been an outspoken critic of the US-led war in neighbouring Afghanistan as well as China’s massive investment in Pakistan, which has law, and legislation persecuting the country’s Ahmadi community as heretics, has discomfited some even among his own ranks.
Sharif claims Khan’s campaign against him was conducted in tandem with the army, and that military intelligence officers have pressured his candidates to switch allegiance to the PTI.
If Khan conquers, he will be given a hero’s welcome by his loyal fans, but perhaps his hubris and burning desire to become Pakistan’s first elected prime minister to fulfil a full tenure in office will blind him to the risk of suffering the same fate as previous incumbents. racked up millions of dollars in debt to Beijing.
Khan is also likely to be met with trepidation in neighbouring Afghanistan.