Imran Khan

The last year has been been a microcosm of Pakistan’s seven decades of dysfunction, now culminating in ambiguity over the most fundamental of democratic exercises: holding an election. 

Top politicians have openly said that the current face-off between the ruling coalition and the opposition is a do-or-die battle, where only one side can survive.

Khan isn’t just a threat to the current government; he threatens the entire governance system instituted by the Pakistani military.

Khan will be able to avoid arrest until at least March 27 amid accusations that he incited supporters to violence in last week’s clashes with police.

After the former PM failed to appear in a court in Islamabad to be indicted on graft charges Friday, Pakistani police moved to arrest Khan, triggering a clash with supporters outside his home.

The government is unhappy with President Alvi’s announcement and the Supreme Court directive to hold elections for two provincial assemblies in a few months.

The former prime minister's party has been accused of trying to force early elections by creating political chaos.

One of Khan's supporters was killed and 13 others, including two lawmakers, were wounded in the attack.

The former prime minister is ramping up the pressure on the government that replaced him, demanding early elections.

Khan will lose his National Assembly seat and has been disallowed from holding public office for five years.

But Khan is on a road to nowhere as his push for early general elections is unlikely to materialize and winning power remains a distant dream.

The former PM does not want to weaken the momentum his campaign has built up against his political foes.