Softer tone and growing sympathy for imprisoned leader hint at possible policy change
ISLAMABAD:
For a brief moment in early 2026, it looked like PTI had found an opening. A softer tone, growing sympathy for its imprisoned leader and growing pressure on the government point to possible political change. But this moment was short-lived. The outbreak of the Iran-US war has since overshadowed everything, making the PTI’s resurgence an afterthought.
When news emerged that incarcerated PTI leader Imran Khan had reportedly lost up to 85 percent of the vision in his right eye, it provided a rare opportunity for the former ruling party to restore pressure and regain visibility.
The moment resonated not only nationally but also internationally, drawing widespread media attention and renewed scrutiny of the state’s handling of his illness.
The Supreme Court has also taken note, and pressure has increased on the government to provide relief on medical grounds or engage in meaningful dialogue.
But before the PTI could capitalize on the opportunity, an unforeseen war significantly altered Pakistan’s trajectory. When the United States and Israel launched a war against Iran, few expected Pakistan to become a key player in a rapidly changing global landscape.
While the PTI was going through this critical juncture, the outbreak of war significantly changed Pakistan’s national and international landscape. As global attention was focused on the conflict, Pakistan unexpectedly emerged as a central player in diplomatic and strategic calculations. This sudden change not only altered the country’s foreign policy priorities, but also positioned Pakistan as a central actor capable of helping to end the conflict.
Adding to its emerging diplomatic profile, Pakistan may soon host talks in Islamabad aimed at mediating between the United States and Iran.
Officials indicated the country was ready to facilitate meaningful negotiations in the coming days. Washington and Tehran have reportedly expressed confidence in Pakistan’s neutrality, while regional partners including Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt have expressed support for Islamabad’s initiative. Observers around the world recognize and welcome Pakistan’s efforts, presenting the country as a potential peacemaker in a conflict that is causing global concern.
So, has PTI politics become the unexpected casualty of this war?
Political analysts say the Middle East crisis has radically reshaped Pakistan’s domestic political landscape, leaving little room for any party to advance its narrative.
According to Hassan Askari, “the impact of this war is clear: Pakistan, which previously focused on domestic issues, has now turned its attention to global conflict. The country’s domestic politics has been relegated to the background, and this change also has a direct effect on the PTI. »
Askari adds that PTI currently has limited options. “Even if the party wants to react or act, it must wait until the war calms down before resuming its political activities. For now, any attempt at engagement is unlikely to elicit a response from the government.”
He also observes that Pakistani governments often exploit their foreign policy successes to expand their influence over domestic politics and marginalize opposition parties. “The current government is more likely to maintain a tough stance against the PTI,” he notes.
Echoing this, Ahmad Bilal Mehboob, president of the Pakistan Institute for Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT), points out the media’s focus on the regional crisis, leaving little room for national narratives. “The PTI’s policies are clearly suffering as attention turns to the Middle East, while the government becomes more central to peace efforts,” he says.
Mehboob suggests that Imran Khan might consider an honorable rapprochement with the government and the establishment, noting that “after all, he had once offered an extension of his life to General Bajwa in exchange for power.”
He adds that even before the escalation of hostilities, the PTI had begun to lose its appeal due to the perceived immaturity of its leadership and uncertainty over Khan’s preferences, leading many in the party to favor inaction as the safest course.
“With the provocative statements and tweets from Khan and his close circle, I don’t see the government or the establishment reconsidering their policy towards him anytime soon,” concludes Mehboob.
