He was supposed to be the "third way." For decades, Pakistan’s political life was a predictable, if messy, seesaw between the Sharif and Bhutto dynasties. Then came the 1992 World Cup hero. When Pakistan Prime Minister Khan—Imran Khan Niazi—took the oath in 2018, it felt like a tectonic shift. People weren't just voting for a party; they were buying into a promise of Riyasat-e-Madinah, an Islamic welfare state where the law actually applied to the powerful.
But fast forward to 2026, and the scene is unrecognizable. Khan isn't in the Prime Minister's House. He’s in Adiala Jail.
The Rise and the "Same Page" Era
You can't talk about Khan without talking about the military. Honestly, it’s the elephant in every room in Islamabad. In 2018, the narrative was all about the "same page." The generals and the cricketer were finally in sync. Critics called him "selected," but for his millions of supporters, he was the only man brave enough to challenge the status quo.
The early days were a whirlwind. He launched the Ehsaas program, which was basically a massive safety net for the poor. It got global props. Then there was the Health Card—suddenly, a laborer in Lahore could get heart surgery in a private hospital for free. These weren't just policies; they were the bricks of that welfare state he kept talking about.
Then came the cracks.
Governance is harder than winning a cricket match. Inflation started biting. Hard. The "same page" began to fray over a very specific, very thorny issue: the appointment of the ISI chief in late 2021. Khan wanted to keep General Faiz Hameed; the Army Chief at the time, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, had other plans. In Pakistan, when the civilian leader and the military chief disagree on appointments, the clock usually starts ticking.
✨ Don't miss: Who Is More Likely to Win the Election 2024: What Most People Get Wrong
The Ouster Nobody Expected
The end came in April 2022. It was pure drama. Khan became the first Pakistan Prime Minister in history to be removed by a vote of no confidence. He didn't go quietly. He claimed there was a "foreign conspiracy" involving a secret cypher from the US.
Was there a conspiracy? The US denied it. The Pakistani establishment denied it. But his base? They swallowed it whole.
After he was ousted, his popularity didn't tank. It exploded. He spent a year holding massive rallies, looking like a man who knew he could win any election held tomorrow. Then came the assassination attempt in Wazirabad. He was shot in the leg. He blamed the government and a senior military officer. The bridge was officially burned.
Life Behind Bars: The 2024-2026 Reality
If you’re looking for the current status of Pakistan Prime Minister Khan today, it’s a legal labyrinth. By early 2026, the man has more cases against him than most people have apps on their phones.
🔗 Read more: Air Pollution Index Delhi: What Most People Get Wrong
We’re talking about:
- The Toshakhana Cases: This is the big one. He’s accused of illegally selling state gifts, including luxury watches. In December 2025, a court handed him and his wife, Bushra Bibi, a 17-year sentence in the "Toshakhana 2" reference.
- The Al-Qadir Trust Case: Allegations of a land bribe involving a real estate tycoon.
- The May 9 Aftermath: This is the darkest chapter. In 2023, after a brief arrest, his supporters went wild. They attacked military installations. The state's response was a sledgehammer. Thousands of PTI workers were arrested, and senior leaders jumped ship.
Right now, as we sit in 2026, Khan is facing "rigorous imprisonment." His sister, Uzma Khan, recently told reporters he’s being kept in isolation—no TV, no books, limited family visits. It’s a far cry from the cheering crowds of 2018.
What Most People Get Wrong
People often ask, "Why doesn't he just cut a deal?"
In Pakistan, the "London Plan" or a "deal" is how politicians usually survive. They go into exile and wait for the wind to change. But Khan seems different. He’s betting his life on the idea that if he stays in jail, his "moral authority" grows. It’s a high-stakes gamble.
💡 You might also like: Why Trump's West Point Speech Still Matters Years Later
The current government, led by Shehbaz Sharif, insists these are just legal matters. They say no one is above the law. But the UN Special Rapporteur on torture recently raised eyebrows, calling for an end to his solitary confinement. It’s not just a local fight anymore; it’s an international headache.
Why This Still Matters
Pakistan is struggling. The economy is on a ventilator, and political stability is a ghost. Whether you love Khan or hate him, you can't ignore the fact that a huge chunk of the population feels disenfranchised. When the most popular leader is in a cell, the system feels broken to millions.
The PTI—his party—is still a force. They won the most seats as independents in the 2024 elections, despite losing their iconic "bat" symbol. That tells you something. The "Khan factor" isn't going away, even if he's behind four walls.
Practical Realities for the Future
If you're following this story, here is what to keep an eye on:
- The Appeals: His legal team is currently challenging the 17-year sentence in the Islamabad High Court. If those convictions are overturned, the political landscape flips overnight.
- The Military Stance: There’s always talk of "reconciliation." So far, both sides are digging in. If a "grand dialogue" happens, it’ll likely be behind closed doors first.
- The Youth Vote: Pakistan is an incredibly young country. This demographic is Khan’s stronghold. How they react to his continued incarceration will define the next five years.
The saga of Pakistan Prime Minister Khan is a lesson in the volatility of power. He went from the pinnacle of the establishment to its biggest nightmare. For now, the "Kaptaan" is playing his longest innings yet—from a jail cell in Rawalpindi.
To stay informed on this developing situation, monitor the official rulings from the Islamabad High Court and the statements from the UN Special Rapporteur regarding detention conditions. Understanding the specific legal nuances of the Toshakhana 2 verdict is the best way to separate political rhetoric from judicial reality.