Imran Khan sentenced to jail: Implications for Pakistan’s upcoming election

Islamabad, 31 January, 2024 (TDF): In a recent ruling by Pakistani court, former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, is sentenced to 14 years in prison. Imran Khan was charged with allegations of  illegally selling state gifts. In addition, a day earlier, he was also sentenced to 10 years in jail for leaking state secrets.

The sentencing of the former prime minister to jail just weeks before the national general elections has cast a shadow over the country’s political landscape. Imran Khan is the founder and chairman of one of Pakistan’s biggest political parties, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). According to many political analysts, the sentencing of former prime ministers, especially just prior to general elections, is a common occurrence in Pakistan. During the 2018 general elections, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was sentenced to jail by the court on corruption charges.

Imran Khan, renowned both as a cricket star and a political figure, faces significant ramifications following these convictions. Here are some key points illustrating the potential impact on Khan’s political future, his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, and the forthcoming election:

• Extension of ban on holding public office:

Khan, aged 71, was already barred from holding public office for five years due to a prior graft conviction, effectively disqualifying him from participating in the upcoming polls. However, Wednesday’s sentence extends this ban to 10 years, rendering him ineligible for prime ministership until 2034.

• Inability to campaign:

Khan’s incarceration since August prevents him from actively campaigning for his party’s candidates in the election. His absence has left the PTI in disarray, with many key aides either imprisoned, on the run, or having distanced themselves from him amidst mounting legal challenges.

• Leadership vacuum:

With Khan sidelined, PTI is currently led by a relatively unknown lawyer, Gohar Ali Khan, who also serves as Imran Khan’s legal counsel. The loss of PTI’s traditional electoral symbol of a cricket bat further complicates matters, as candidates now contest as independents, potentially diminishing party cohesion.

• Potential party fragmentation:

PTI-backed candidates contesting as independents may not remain loyal to the party, especially given Khan’s prolonged incarceration. The likelihood of victorious independent candidates aligning with other political factions increases, jeopardizing PTI’s unity.

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• Post-election dynamics:

The support of independent winners will be pivotal in determining the composition of the next government. Khan’s absence amplifies the uncertainty surrounding PTI’s ability to secure sufficient parliamentary seats, potentially affecting its prospects of forming a government.

• Challenges in electoral campaigns:

The absence of Imran Khan from the election campaigns hinders PTI’s ability to effectively communicate its platform and engage with voters. The party’s electoral strategy, previously anchored around Khan’s charisma and leadership, now faces significant reevaluation in light of his imprisonment and potential absence.

• Rising political tensions:

Khan’s imprisonment heightens political tensions in Pakistan, with supporters and opponents engaging in heated debates over the validity of the legal proceedings. The polarizing nature of Khan’s conviction threatens to exacerbate existing divisions within the Pakistani electorate.

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