#TrumpTariffs First the world, now Pakistan: Imran Khan seeks election glory
To his opponents, he is merely latching on to a groundswell of naked populism.
โImran Khan is right now the beneficiary of a wave of celebrity politicians who are anti-politicians,โ explains Husain Haqqani from the Washington-based Hudson Institute, suggesting Khan has also benefited from ties with the military, whose penchant for meddling in Pakistani politics is well known.
Still, many believe this is the best political opportunity Khan will ever have.
His arch nemesis Nawaz Sharif was ousted from the premiership in July, leaving the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz in disarray; while the once mighty Pakistan Peopleโs Party has wilted into a shell of its former self.
This election, Khan says, is PTIโs โbiggest chanceโ at victory, even as doubts reverberate after his party lost a by-election this week.
But when asked if, should he lose, would he hand over the party leadership to a successor, Khan is cryptic.
โIโm the only cricket captain in our history who left when he still could have been the captain,โ he says