Imran Khan’s arrest | What’s next for Pakistan politics? | Ep #118

Pakistan that seems to be in a state of “permanent uncertainty” had another dramatic week in politics:  1.     To begin with, a court in Islamabad sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan to 3 years in Jail for misappropriation of official gifts, or what was called the Toshakhana case. The 3 year term also disqualifies him from standing for elections for the next 5 years.  Unlike 3 months ago, when he was last arrested for another corruption case that he was charged in however, this time, his party workers did not come out on the streets.  2.   The arrest was significantly timed, as it is also time to head towards the next elections in Pakistan  Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif stood up for one last time for a farewell address to the Pakistani parliament, after which the President dissolved the assembly   3.   Another big moment this week- the publication of this article in US website The Intercept- that put out the text of a diplomatic telegram dated March 7,2022 that detailed how a senior US  State department official conveyed deep concerns to the Pakistani Ambassador about then Prime Minister Imran Khan’s ties with Russia – indicating that if Khan was voted out in the confidence vote , the US and Europe would be willing to “forgive” Pakistan for the visit to Moscow by Imran Khan right as the invasion of Ukraine was launched. When he was ousted, Imran Khan had alleged that it was the Pakistani military who had helped push him out at the US’s behest, a charge they all denied.  So three interconnected, but equally important events in Pakistan’s politics- and we will try and pull all the threads together.  Read more here