Softer tone and growing sympathy for the jailed leader suggest a possible change in policy
ISLAMABAD:
For a brief moment in early 2026, it looked like the PTI had found an opening. A softer tone, growing sympathy for its jailed leader and increasing 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 overshadowed everything, turning PTI’s resurgence into an afterthought.
When news emerged that jailed PTI leader Imran Khan may have lost up to 85 percent of the sight in his right eye, it provided a rare opportunity for the former ruling party to rebuild pressure and regain visibility.
The moment resonated not only 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 built on the government to either provide relief on medical grounds or engage in meaningful dialogue.
But before the PTI could seize the moment, an unforeseen war changed Pakistan’s trajectory significantly. When the US and Israel launched a war against Iran, few expected Pakistan to emerge as a key player in the rapidly changing global landscape.
Just as the PTI navigated this critical moment, the outbreak of war significantly changed Pakistan’s national 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 changed the country’s foreign policy priorities, but also positioned Pakistan as a key player capable of helping end the conflict.
Adding to its new diplomatic profile, Pakistan may soon host talks in Islamabad aimed at mediating between the US and Iran.
Officials have indicated that the country is prepared to facilitate meaningful talks in the coming days. Both Washington and Tehran are reported to have expressed confidence in Pakistan’s neutrality, while regional partners including Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt have voiced support for Islamabad’s initiative. Observers around the world recognize and praise Pakistan’s efforts, framing the country as a potential peacemaker in a conflict that has caused global concern.
So has PTI politics become the windfall of this war?
Political analysts say the crisis in the Middle East 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 has a direct effect on the PTI as well.”
Askari adds that the PTI currently has limited options. “Even if the party wants to react or take action, it must wait for the war to subside before resuming its political activities. For now, any attempt to engage is unlikely to elicit a response from the government.”
He also notes that Pakistan’s governments often exploit foreign policy successes to extend influence over domestic politics and fringe opposition parties. “The current government is more likely to maintain a tough stance against the PTI,” he observes.
Ahmad Bilal Mehboob, president of the Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development And Transparency (PILDAT), emphasizes the media’s focus on the regional crisis, leaving little room for domestic narratives. “The PTI’s politics are 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 might consider an honorable rapprochement with the government and the establishment, noting that “after all, he had once offered a life extension to Gen. Bajwa in exchange for power.”
He adds that even before hostilities escalated, the PTI had begun to lose appeal due to perceived immaturity in its leadership and uncertainty about Khan’s preferences, leading many in the party to prefer inaction as the safest course.
“With provocative statements and tweets by Khan and his inner circle, I don’t see the government or the establishment rethinking their policy towards him anytime soon,” Mehboob concludes.
