Imran Khan

A new and significant force is taking form in Pakistani politics, coalescing around the person of former cricket champion Imran Khan, and his party, Tehreek-e-Insaf. Once dismissed in US cables as a “one-man party,” Khan’s persistent critique of the status quo began last year to resonate with the population. Since late 2011, he has been drawing tens of thousands into the streets to rally against corruption and national subservience to U.S. interests. He promises to dislodge from power Pakistan’s cartel of dynastic political parties, and to restore to independence a judiciary weakened by successive constitutional crises. Now regularly topping popularity polls, Imran Khan’s party has become a serious contender in forthcoming national elections – which may be called during the next year.