IMRAN KHAN’S POLITICAL PERSECUTION IN PAKISTAN: A NARRATIVE REVIEW OF ALLEGED HYBRID WARFARE, INSTITUTIONAL CAPTURE, AND PUBLIC MOBILIZATION DYNAMICS (2022–2026)

Abstract

This review examines reports and records on the political targeting of former Prime Minister Imran Khan from 2022 to 2026. It outlines three key phases, arrest and detention, isolation, and alleged health concerns, while analyzing the roles of PTI leadership, the military, and public response. It also considers how media narratives and institutional actions shaped public perception during this period. Set within broader geopolitical tensions and internal power dynamics, the review finds that although some claims lack clear evidence, the pattern of legal pressure, leadership splits, and restricted access raises serious concerns about due process and political balance in Pakistan. These developments highlight ongoing challenges to institutional neutrality and democratic stability.