IMRAN KHAN’S political career, particularly his time as Prime Minister of Pakistan (2018–2022), and his subsequent ouster and imprisonment, has been characterised by intense polarisation. The political establishment refuses to countenance the trust and support that the masses on the streets offer unconditionally and in full trust. Such trust would be unattainable to the Generals, or the Ruling establishment.
Khan campaigned for the role of Prime Minister on a strong anti-corruption platform, positioning himself as an outsider fighting the “entrenched corrupt political elite”. His supporters frequently viewed him as a rare, honest leader.
It will need the establishment to find a needle in the haystack which throws up tangible evidence that Khan is a corrupt leader. Hitherto, that needle is absent. If Imran Khan were remotely as corrupt as his political enemies allege, how do they account for the humongous support and popularity he commands. Khan has consistently denied all charges, labelling them as “politically motivated” and orchestrated by the military establishment to keep him out of power.
Several high-profile convictions from 2024 were overturned or suspended on appeal. Despite his incarceration in December 2023, a Gallup poll found Khan to be the most popular politician in Pakistan. In the 2024 general election, independent candidates backed by his party (PTI) won the highest number of seats, defying a severe state crackdown and the loss of their official party symbol (the cricket bat). This was viewed by many as a significant demonstration of his popularity.
His popularity is often contrasted with his strained relationship with Pakistan’s powerful military, which played a key role in both his rise and subsequent fall from power. He enjoys immense support, particularly among the youth and urban middle-class voters who were disillusioned with the two traditional, dynastic political parties.
Contrast his strong performance in 2022 by-elections where he won 6 out of 7 seats. In the end, while many supporters view him as an “unbeatable,” incorruptible, and a visionary leader, critics and opposing parties maintain that his rule was marked by corruption and authoritarianism. Analysts often point to the breakdown of his relationship with Pakistan’s powerful military establishment – which once supported him—as the root cause of his legal troubles. Khan has alleged a conspiracy involving current army leadership and political opponents to sideline him, referring to it as the “London Plan”.
Advocacy for justice comes from a group of 14 former international cricket captains, including Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev from India and Greg Chappell from Australia. They have called on the Pakistani government to ensure fair treatment and safety for the imprisoned former Imran Khan. The international appeal, issued in February 2026, expressed concerns about Khan’s health and detention conditions. Former Pakistan teammates Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis have also called for optimal medical care for Khan. There are growing international and domestic concerns regarding his health, with lawyers and family claiming he has lost significant vision in his right eye due to medical neglect while in detention. The cricketers call on the Pakistani government to provide Imran Khan access to ongoing medical specialists of his choice. They also call for humane detention conditions, and guaranteed access to legal processes. Their appeal is rooted in the “spirit of sportsmanship and common humanity.”
Despite those acquittals, other cases – particularly those regarding the misuse of state gifts have resulted in new convictions or continued imprisonment. In late 2025/early 2026, reports indicated further sentences of 17 years in corruption cases were upheld. His political opponents are on an unending spree to construct charges on him. Their charges, Khan maintains, are politically driven and geared to sideline him from Pakistani politics.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan has recently intervened – finally-, ordering a full medical check-up (eye examination) to be completed for Khan and allowing him to speak with his children. While some convictions were overturned by higher courts, the sheer volume of cases (over 100) and the swiftness with which new charges are brought have kept him imprisoned. It amounts to far less than humane treatment to ignore Imran Khan’s frail health.
The legal battles are taking place amidst intense political tension between his party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and the current government/establishment. Khan’s supporters argue that he is a victim of a “fabricated” political crackdown aimed at eliminating him from the political landscape.
Khan’s party,PTI, and his legal team have consistently described the proceedings as a “sham” or “fraudulent set-up” designed to prevent him from returning to power. Concerns have been raised by human rights groups about fair trial violations, including trials conducted in closed-door sessions within Adiala Jail rather than open court.
Innumerable defence lawyers were not allowed to be present or cross-examine witnesses effectively.
Several high-profile convictions, including those related to “state secrets” (the cipher case) and the validity of his marriage, were later suspended or overturned by higher courts, lending credence to claims that the initial convictions were politically motivated.
Perhaps, the most credible of all allegations come from a UN working group on arbitrary detention concluded which, in June 2024, that Khan’s detention was arbitrary and violated international law regarding fair trial rights.
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Ranjan Solomon is a writer, researcher and activist based in Goa. He has worked in social movements since he was 19 years of age. The views expressed here are the author’s own and Clarion India does not necessarily share or subscribe to them. He can be contacted at ranjan.solomon@gmail.com
