Why Pakistan’s establishment has failed to break Imran Khan
Despite ongoing legal challenges, imprisonment, and government crackdowns, Imran Khan remains a central figure in Pakistani politics. His party, the PTI, continues to mobilize supporters, turning the political standoff into a long-term struggle for influence.
Why it matters
The resilience of Imran Khan's political movement highlights the deep instability and power struggle between Pakistan's civilian political forces and its military establishment.
Islamabad had prepared for another confrontation. Roads were blocked, security forces deployed and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters were expected to march towards the capital demanding the release of their jailed leader, Imran Khan.Then, days before the September 27 protest, PTI postponed the march until October 4, temporarily easing the pressure on the government.But the roads can be reopened and the barricades removed. The political problem surrounding Imran Khan is proving harder to clear.The former prime minister has now spent more than three years behind bars. The establishment has used imprisonment, restrictions on his contact with the outside world, scores of legal cases and a crackdown on his supporters. Yet none of it has so far succeeded in removing Imran Khan from the centre of Pakistan's politics.
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