Imran Khan: The Cricket Hero Bowled out as Pakistan’s PM

PM imran khan

Imran Khan is a former international-cricket-star-turned-politician who became the first prime minister in Pakistan’s history to be ousted in a vote of no confidence. He was elected in July 2018 promising to fight corruption and fix the economy. But those pledges went unmet and the world’s second largest Muslim country was gripped by financial crisis. By late March 2022 a series of defections had deprived him of his parliamentary majority and the opposition pounced, tabling a motion of no confidence. Mr Khan sought to circumvent the move by having parliament dissolved and calling a snap election, but the Supreme Court ruled this was in breach of the constitution. On 10 April the vote of no confidence took place and Imran Khan lost, his opponents having secured 174 votes in the 342-member house. He claimed that his political opponents were colluding with the US to bring about regime change because of his policies on Afghanistan, Russia and China. But he provided no evidence of this and Washington strongly denied any foreign interference.

The former PM still commands considerable public support – tens of thousands took to the streets in cities across Pakistan on the night he was ejected from office. As a politician Imran Khan publicly upholds liberalism, but at the same time appeals to Islamic values and anti-West sentiment. On his watch, there has seen a significant rise in Islamist militancy in Pakistan, and religious extremists have strengthened their position. He has been criticized as sympathetic towards the Taliban, and branded “Taliban Khan” by opponents. In 2020 there was an outcry after he called Osama Bin Laden a martyr.

Pakistan – a long-time ally of the West, however reluctant in the “war on terror” – has continued strengthening ties with China under his leadership. It abstained in the UN vote on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. Tense relations with neighboring India, Pakistan’s historic rival, did not improve during his tenure. Mr. Khan can point to some successes. Pakistan’s Covid record has been the best in South Asia, and a poverty-alleviation programmed made progress.

Providing universal healthcare in two provinces is perhaps his most notable achievement – and could help him in elections which are due by late 2023, but could be called sooner. In the weeks since Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan was removed from government, he has been conducting an aggressive campaign – on the ground and online – to get himself back into office. And it has put the country’s media outlets in a difficult position, especially when reporters remain beholden to who really runs the country.

Assad Majeed, former Pakistan ambassador to the US who had written a cable to Islamabad about Washington’s take on Khan’s Moscow visit, briefed the civil and military leaders on a forum called National Security Committee (NSC). “The NSC after reviewing the contents of the communication, the assessment received, and the conclusion presented by the security agencies, concludes that there has been no conspiracy,” a statement from the office of new Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, who chaired the NSC meeting, said on Friday. It said the country’s premier spy agencies informed the NSC that they found no evidence to support any conspiracy theory. Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) party demanded a judicial probe into the matter. Khan has aired his conspiracy allegations in three huge public rallies he has held since he was removed on April 10. He has demanded snap elections. The next parliamentary election is due in 2023.

You May Also Like

About the Author: Duncan Barret

My name is Duncan Barret a professional SEO expert having Proven skills of excellent writing demonstrated in a professional portfolio Impeccable grasp of the content creation, including interview trends and expressions. I have ability to work independently with little or no daily supervision with strong interpersonal skills and willingness to communicate with clients, colleagues, and management.