Imran Khan

Whether the delay in elections, and the tarnished delimitation process, abets any party in the February polls remains to be seen.

“Pakistan is facing a polycrisis and it is the convergence of political, economic, social, and security crises that makes the current situation so volatile.”

"One can't rule out anything in Pakistani politics, which are nothing if not unpredictable."

The army seems to have given a green signal to Nawaz Sharif to become the face of forthcoming general elections in Pakistan.

The case relates to Khan's waving of a confidential diplomatic letter at a rally after his ouster in a no-confidence vote in parliament in 2022.

The Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan chief may be the country's second most popular leader, but his party will likely get just 4 percent of votes, according to a Gallup Pakistan survey.

Khan's lawyers say the closed trial is a gambit to ensure a quick conviction and sentencing of the former premier ahead of parliamentary elections.

The announcement puts to rest speculation that the election, which was due to be held in November, would be indefinitely postponed.

President Arif Alvi, who is close to the former prime minister’s party, has acted unconstitutionally by proposing election dates.

The ruling clears the way for Khan to participate in the next general elections – unless he is convicted in a retrial or any of the many other legal cases against him.

Khan missed the chance to make his support base democratic and republican – and thereby transform himself into a true political force to reckon with.

There is uncertainty over the election date even as the legal and political drama surrounding jailed ex-PM Imran Khan deepens.