Pakistan is teetering on the edge. Its political, economic, and social fabric is unraveling at an alarming rate, and at the center of this turmoil lies its most famous and respected leader — Imran Khan.
A man celebrated not only for his heroic World Cup victory in 1992 but also for being a symbol of hope for millions of Pakistanis, Khan now languishes in prison on spurious charges, the victim of a fraudulent election and a crushing of the judiciary designed to keep him permanently out of power. Yet despite these challenges, Imran Khan’s popularity is at an all-time high.
Imran Khan is more than a politician; he is an icon. A global brand recognized as much in Britain as in Pakistan, where his friends and allies have recently voiced their support for his release.
Billionaire Richard Branson is the latest in a growing chorus of influential figures calling for justice. Removed from power in 2022 through an orchestrated effort by Pakistan’s military and rival political parties, Khan’s presence still looms large, as he has evolved from being a political leader to embodying an idea — the idea that Pakistan’s elites can no longer dominate the working and middle classes with impunity.
Khan represents a Pakistan grounded in democracy, fairness, and justice. His defiance of entrenched elites — whether military, political, or economic — has made him a hero to millions of ordinary Pakistanis, who see in him the hope of a more equitable and prosperous future.
His removal has only further galvanized his support, showing how disconnected the ruling classes are from the reality on the ground.
The West, particularly Washington under Joe Biden and London under Prime Ministers Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer, seems oblivious to the tectonic shifts taking place in Pakistan. The stolen election of February 2024 and the subsequent crackdown on the judiciary have deepened the country’s political crisis.
Pakistan’s economy has collapsed, terrorism has surged, and its reliance on China and a few authoritarian regimes has only grown. These developments pose a significant threat not just to Pakistan, but also to the wider region and global stability.
If Pakistan continues on its current trajectory, without course correction — through the release of Khan, free and fair elections, and the restoration of economic credibility — the consequences will be catastrophic. The country will likely face collapse, a prospect that should alarm both Washington and London.
A failed Pakistan would be fertile ground for the rise of extremism and terrorism, with ripple effects across the globe. The Middle East has already turned its back on Pakistan, but the West must not make the same mistake.
If Pakistan does fall, the resulting refugee crisis will be unprecedented. With one of the world’s largest populations, Pakistan’s collapse would likely result in the greatest migration in human history, as millions flee poverty and instability.
These displaced people would look to the UK, where deep family and historical ties would draw them, whether legally or illegally. London seem unaware of the ticking time bomb Pakistan has become, and the humanitarian disaster that could be just over the horizon.
Former US President Donald Trump, unlike current Western leaders, has maintained a close relationship with Imran Khan, famously referring to him as a friend. Both men shared a similar vision: to make their respective countries great again. Trump has been vocal in his call for Khan’s release, and if he returns to power in 2024, it is likely that he would exert significant pressure on Pakistan to free Khan and steer away from becoming a client state of China.
The silence from the UK on this issue, however, is deafening. The future of Pakistan, and by extension the region, hinges on one man. As the country stands on the brink of collapse, only one captain has the ability to save the match. But for that to happen, the West must wake up to the reality and take action — before it’s too late.