Softer tone and growing sympathy for jailed leader hint at a possible policy shift
ISLAMABAD:
For a brief moment in early 2026, it seemed PTI had found an opening. A softer tone, growing sympathy for its jailed leader, and mounting pressure on the government hinted at a possible political shift. But that moment was short-lived. The outbreak of the Iran-US war has since eclipsed everything, turning PTI’s resurgence into an afterthought.
When news emerged that PTI incarcerated leader Imran Khan might have lost up to 85 per cent of vision in his right eye, it provided a rare opportunity for the former ruling party to rebuild pressure and regain visibility.
The moment not only resonated nationally but internationally, attracting widespread media attention and renewed scrutiny of the state’s handling of his illness.
The Supreme Court also took notice, and pressure was building on the government to either provide relief on medical grounds or engage in meaningful dialogue.
But before PTI could capitalize on the moment, an unforeseen war significantly shifted Pakistan’s trajectory. When the United States and Israel launched a war on Iran, few anticipated that Pakistan would emerge as a key player in the rapidly changing global landscape.
Just as PTI was navigating this critical moment, the outbreak of the war significantly shifted Pakistan’s domestic and international landscape. With global attention focused on the conflict, Pakistan unexpectedly emerged as a central player in diplomatic and strategic calculations. This sudden shift has not only altered the country’s foreign policy priorities but also positioned Pakistan as a pivotal actor capable of helping end the conflict.
Adding to its emerging diplomatic profile, Pakistan could soon host talks in Islamabad aimed at mediating between the United States and Iran.
Officials have indicated that the country is prepared to facilitate meaningful negotiations in the coming days. Both Washington and Tehran are reported to have expressed confidence in Pakistan’s neutrality, while regional partners, including Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Egypt, have voiced support for Islamabad’s initiative. Observers worldwide are recognizing and commending Pakistan’s efforts, framing the country as a potential peacemaker in a conflict that has drawn global concern.
So, has PTI politics become the unexpected casuality of this war?
Political analysts say the Middle East crisis has dramatically reshaped Pakistan’s domestic political landscape, leaving little room for any party to advance its narrative.
According to Hassan Askari, “The impact of this war is clear: Pakistan’s focus, which had been on domestic issues, has now shifted to the global conflict. The country’s internal politics have been pushed into the background, and this shift is having a direct effect on PTI as well.”
Askari adds that PTI currently has limited options. “Even if the party wants to respond or take action, it must wait for the war to subside before resuming its political activities. For now, any attempts to engage are unlikely to elicit a response from the government.”
He also observes that Pakistan’s governments often leverage foreign policy successes to expand influence over domestic politics and sideline opposition parties. “The current government is more likely to maintain a tough stance against PTI,” he notes.
Echoing this, Ahmad Bilal Mehboob President of the Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development And Transparency (PILDAT) highlights the media’s focus on the regional crisis, leaving little space for domestic narratives. “PTI’s politics is clearly suffering as attention shifts to the Middle East, while the government becomes more central to peace efforts,” he says.
Mehboob suggests that Imran Khan could consider an honourable rapprochement with the government and the establishment, noting that “after all, he had once offered a lifetime extension to Gen. Bajwa in exchange for power.”
He adds that even before hostilities escalated, PTI had begun losing appeal due to perceived immaturity of its leadership and uncertainty over Khan’s preferences, leading many within the party to favour inaction as the safest course.
“With provocative statements and tweets from Khan and his close circle, I don’t see the government or establishment reconsidering their policy toward him anytime soon,” Mehboob concludes.
