Although there are moments when you hardly notice it, previous Pakistani PM Imran Khan has been incarcerated for a year.
In Pakistan's opposition politics, Mr. Khan continues to be the dominant figure. His name continues to appear in court records and documents. His admirers on social media haven't let up.
The former cricket player has no public appearances; therefore, his family and attorneys, who are the only people who are permitted to see him on a daily basis, have taken on the role of his messengers to the outside world. He wants to emphasize that he has spent 365 days in prison.
"A persistent mistrust persists regarding him," states Aleema Khanum, the sister of Imran Khan. "There is no need, no desire - just a reason."
Those who encounter Mr. Khan claim that he reads, ponders, and rides his exercise bike during the day. He can wander the yard for an hour every day. There have been sporadic arguments about how fast the family can get him new books.
"There was no anticipation that Mr. Khan would take any action that would facilitate his release from prison," states Michael Kugelman, who is the head of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center think tank located in Washington, D.C. Proceed.
Additionally, Mr. Kugelman notes that "when they decide there's a political figure they want to shut down," Pakistan's military, a potent backroom player, comes into play. "This is especially the case with Khan."
It's true that the army has played a significant role in many of Mr. Khan's highs and lows during the last ten years. Many observers think that his early and intimate connections to the military elite aided in his ascent to prominence.
However, by May 9 of last year, it had fallen apart. After Mr. Khan, who lost a vote of no confidence in 2022, was taken into custody, his followers demonstrated.
During the elections, the number of cases against him rose. Days before the election, in early February, the 71-year-old had already been sentenced to three lengthy prison terms, the most recent of which was for 14 years.
By the time of the election, a large number of Mr. Khan's PTI party candidates had either been arrested or gone into hiding, and the party had lost its famous cricket bat emblem—a crucial distinguishing feature in a nation where 58% of people are literate.
However, Imran Khan's supporters secured the most seats, compelling their enemies in politics to band together in order to thwart them. Meanwhile, the PTI was forced to contest numerous seats in court, claiming that the results were manipulated.
The February 8 election, according to supporters, marked a sea change and was evidence of Mr. Khan's ability to spread his message even while incarcerated. "There is a change," states Aleema Khanum, "and it became evident on February 8. "There is a sense of impending change."
Some claim that, in reality, the outcome has not altered the current situation. "We're actually right where we could anticipate finding precedent," Mr. Kugelman asserts.
"PTI did not form the government, its leader is still in jail and the coalition in power is led by parties backed by the military." However, circumstances for Khan and his backers are unquestionably getting better lately.
From behind bars, Mr. Khan is conveying his words. Aleema Khanum, the "backbone of Pakistan," recently declared that she had instructed the army to "remain neutral... let this country run." Despite concerns about the term "neutral," some critics have viewed this as an olive branch.
He laughed at the statement that the army was neutral, claiming that "only an animal is neutral," although it had previously declared itself so by refusing to support any political party.
Social Icons