Lahore, Pakistan – Imran Khan, Pakistan’s most popular politician and former Prime Minister is facing a 14-year prison term this month in a case his party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) claims is being used to pressure him into silence.
Imran Khan has been in custody since August 2023 and has faced multiple legal challenges, which he asserts are politically motivated.
A looming verdict for graft linked to a welfare foundation he set up with his wife, the Al-Qadir Trust, is the longest-running of those cases, with a verdict postponed on Monday for a third time.
“The Al-Qadir Trust case, like previous cases, is being dragged on only to pressure me,” Khan said this month in one of his frequent statements railing against authorities and posted on social media by his team.
“But I demand its immediate resolution.”
Khan’s imprisonment has drawn significant international attention. Richard Grenell, a close confidante of Donald Trump and the incoming U.S. President’s special envoy for special missions has publicly demanded Khan’s release, calling the charges against him “phony”. Despite this, whether Trump will exert diplomatic pressure on Pakistan to secure Khan’s release remains uncertain.
World leaders have expressed varied stances on Khan’s situation. The United States has called for respect for democratic principles and the rule of law in Pakistan. The United Kingdom has echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the importance of peaceful democracy and adherence to the rule of law. However, there has been no unified international stance on Khan’s imprisonment.
Richard Grenell’s role as Trump’s special envoy for special missions includes focusing on U.S. adversaries and advocating for the release of political prisoners like Khan. Grenell’s involvement has amplified calls for Khan’s release, but the effectiveness of these efforts remains to be seen.
During this political turmoil, PTI won significantly in the 2024 general elections. Despite being barred from participating directly, PTI-backed independent candidates won the most seats, securing a surprise lead with 97 of the 265 seats. This victory underscores Khan’s enduring popularity and the resilience of his political movement.
The situation remains fluid, with ongoing negotiations and international pressure potentially influencing the outcome of Khan’s imprisonment and the future of Pakistan’s political landscape.
