In the recent past, since Imran Khan was ousted from power in April 2022, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the party he founded and led, has veered sharply towards far-right ideologies. Once seen as a reformist force poised to break Pakistan’s entrenched dynastic politics, PTI has transformed into a vehicle for political and social fragmentation. The party’s actions, rhetoric, and Khan’s continuing populist approach have not only undermined democratic processes but have also deepened the divisions in a country already beset by economic crises and security challenges.
Far from “saving the country,” as it claims, PTI has created an environment where the political establishment, state institutions, and large population segments are seen as enemies to be overthrown rather than collaborators in a democratic process. What began as populist rhetoric has evolved into a toxic blend of nationalism, conspiracy theories, and anti-establishment sentiment that increasingly mirrors the characteristics of far-right political movements elsewhere in the world.
Imran Khan’s removal from office via a no-confidence motion in April 2022 was a seismic event in Pakistan’s political history. Khan, whose populist promises had won him significant support, immediately blamed a “foreign conspiracy” for his ouster, accusing the United States and Pakistan’s political elite of orchestrating his downfall. This conspiracy theory became the backbone of his post-ouster narrative and has been central to PTI’s rise as a far-right force.
What followed Khan’s dismissal was an intensification of populist rhetoric that increasingly mirrored the language of the far-right. His supporters, many of whom were disillusioned by Pakistan’s traditional political parties, embraced this narrative of victimhood and betrayal. In speeches and social media campaigns, Khan painted the military, the judiciary, and opposition parties as complicit in an international plot to remove him. The rhetoric was not just anti-elite—it was anti-institutional and, at times, anti-democratic.
This shift was evident in the massive protests that PTI organized, culminating in the 9th May 2023 riots following Khan’s arrest. PTI supporters stormed military installations, attacked state property, and clashed violently with police. The targeting of prestigious military institutions was a direct attack on the state of Pakistan itself. PTI, which once framed itself as a party of change, had now become an agent of disruption, challenging the political establishment and the structures that hold the state together.
At the heart of PTI’s strategy since Khan’s removal is cultivating a stark “us vs. them” mentality. Khan’s rhetoric has been crafted to cast his political opponents—whether in the form of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), or the state apparatus—as enemies of the people. His supporters, many of whom feel left behind by Pakistan’s traditional political elite, have been led to believe that they are the only true defenders of Pakistan’s sovereignty. In contrast, all others are traitors who have sold the country to foreign powers.
PTI’s frequent use of the term “traitors” to describe its political opponents has amplified this sense of betrayal and victimhood. Political figures from rival parties are often labeled as corrupt and part of a “status quo” that seeks to suppress the will of the people. This rhetoric has profoundly affected the political discourse, driving a wedge between Khan’s supporters and everyone else. The result is a political environment where dialogue, compromise, and cooperation are increasingly tricky, and political opponents are not seen as legitimate but as enemies to be crushed.
Nationalism, when embraced as a force for unity, can be a powerful tool for progress. However, when wielded by a far-right movement, it can quickly turn toxic. PTI’s nationalist rhetoric, particularly since Khan’s ouster, has increasingly blurred the line between patriotism and jingoism. Khan’s frequent references to Pakistan’s “sovereignty” and his attacks on foreign powers, particularly the United States, have struck a chord with a segment of the population that feels disillusioned by global power dynamics.
However, PTI’s brand of nationalism has often veered into conspiracy theory-driven populism. The narrative that foreign forces, particularly the West, are conspiring to undermine Pakistan’s independence is not new, but PTI has used it to consolidate its base by portraying the country’s problems as a result of foreign interference. This foreign conspiracy rhetoric, which Khan amplified, resonates with populist movements worldwide, where external enemies are blamed for domestic woes. PTI’s embrace of this narrative has drawn it closer to far-right movements globally, where nationalistic fervor is often laced with anti-immigrant and anti-globalization sentiment.
Equally concerning has been PTI’s growing disregard for Pakistan’s democratic institutions. Khan’s ongoing attacks on the judiciary, the military, and the election commission have eroded trust in these institutions, further pushing PTI’s supporters toward the idea that only mass protests, civil disobedience, or even insurrection can restore the nation to its rightful path. By rejecting dialogue and cooperation with the institutions of the state, PTI is making itself a destabilizing force in a fragile democracy.
The rise of far-right politics in Pakistan has not been limited to the political sphere; it has had real-world consequences on the country’s social and economic stability. PTI’s focus has been less on pragmatic solutions to Pakistan’s financial crisis and more on rallying its base with emotional appeals to nationalism and victimhood. This strategy has diverted attention from urgent issues like inflation, unemployment, and poverty, which have only worsened since Khan’s removal from office.
Rather than addressing these challenges, PTI has chosen to amplify divisions within society, blaming the political establishment and foreign powers for Pakistan’s economic problems. This has left Pakistan without a coherent policy to tackle its mounting economic crises. The ongoing political instability has discouraged investment and weakened the country’s ability to implement meaningful reforms.
What began as a populist movement seeking change has morphed into a far-right force that is actively destabilizing Pakistan. PTI’s narrative of victimhood and betrayal has divided the nation, pitting one group against another, and eroding trust in the country’s institutions. Instead of uniting the people under a banner of national reform, PTI has deepened divisions along political, ethnic, and ideological lines, pushing the country further toward fragmentation.
In the name of “saving Pakistan,” PTI has done the opposite: it has fractured the country. The party’s embrace of far-right rhetoric and its attack on democratic institutions have put Pakistan’s future at risk. For the country to heal, it must move beyond the narrative of division that PTI has propagated, and rebuild a political culture based on compromise, dialogue, and national unity. If that does not happen, the social and political fractures that PTI has deepened may become irreparable.
