Imran Khan Supporters ‘Here to Stay’ as Young Pakistanis Turn Out to Vote

By Charlotte Greenfield and Ariba Shahid

ISLAMABAD – Beneath large wall-mounted images of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan, Naila Khan Marwat joined a crowd of enthusiastic young volunteers celebrating on election night as news channels indicated their candidate was ahead in the count.

Marwat, 26, later turned her attention to her laptop, gathering reports of alleged electoral violations from candidates, collaborating with 50 other young women to prepare these complaints for party lawyers poised to file legal challenges.

Working late into the early hours at the party headquarters in Islamabad, Marwat followed the election results closely. This year’s voting process was more challenging than usual, as supporters of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) were barred from running under their party name and symbol, forcing them to contest as independents.

“We have memorised all of the symbols and names of our candidates,” Marwat, a law student, stated. “We know every candidate and every symbol.”

Pakistan held a significant general election on Thursday amid an economic crisis and ongoing struggles with militant violence within a highly polarized political landscape.

On Friday, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif claimed victory, announcing that his party had become the largest and would engage with other factions to establish a coalition government.

The final results remained unclear due to an unusual delay in counting. However, independents, most of whom were backed by PTI, emerged as the largest group, securing 92 of the 225 counted seats, exceeding expectations and surprising many observers.

Khan, who was ousted from office in 2022 and jailed in August, has been subjected to several multi-year bans from political participation due to various corruption and criminal convictions.

Analysts suggest that PTI’s strong performance may indicate a protest vote that boosted turnout and highlighted the loyalty of Khan’s supporters. If the independents are unable to form their own government, their significant numbers could lead to increased instability in Pakistan.

Supporters of PTI alleged an unfair electoral landscape, pointing to a full-day suspension of mobile services during polling for security reasons following previous militant attacks. PTI heavily relies on its social media reach, which includes automated responses that help citizens locate polling booths and candidates.

The election commission of Pakistan has committed to investigating the claims of electoral violations.

“PTI is definitely here to stay. It may have been weakened and diminished, but its support base remains substantial and loyal,” commented Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute. “Khan continues to be a significant political player, even from behind bars.”

YOUNG, ENDURING SUPPORTERS

Khan’s support base, which stands against powerful military figures, has faced intense suppression from the military. The party has charged that this crackdown intensified leading up to the elections as the military attempted to exclude PTI, a claim the military denies.

Some analysts and voters believe military involvement in politics might have motivated Khan’s supporters to go to the polls, fueled by dissatisfaction with rising inflation and frustration over Khan’s prison sentences.

Maya Tudor, an associate professor at the University of Oxford, stated, “One reason the military might be worried is that there are signs of genuine grassroots support. The suspension of mobile services on election day, especially after authorities had assured people about stable communications, could indicate concern.”

Marwat expressed her dedication to PTI, having joined the party in 2016 and cast her first vote for it in 2018, drawn by Khan’s authenticity. She noted that Khan’s imprisonment has rallied her and many in her generation.

“Look at other great leaders, like Nelson Mandela. Many remarkable leaders have been imprisoned and endured hardships,” she remarked. “But circumstances change.”

Pakistan’s elections have long been plagued by allegations of rigging and the incarceration of political figures. While this tumult is not unprecedented, analysts point to PTI’s responsive campaign that appeals to diverse demographics as something new.

With its prominent sportsman leader and strong social media presence, PTI resonates particularly well with Pakistan’s large and growing youth population. Estimates indicate an addition of 10 million new voters since the 2018 election.

One such voter, 21-year-old software engineering student Nayaba Akhtar, expressed her motivation to vote for an independent backed by PTI, saying, “It feels great. I’m sad that Imran Khan isn’t here, but I’m proud that my first vote is for him.”