If Imran Khan excluded, 63% of PTI voters would abstain in casting votes: Gallup survey

ISLAMABAD, Dec 22,2023: if Imran Khan was excluded, 63% of PTI voters electoral would abstain without him.

Gallup survey conducted in July, a staggering 63% of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) voters indicated that they would not cast their ballots if Imran Khan, the former chairman of the party, did not participate in the upcoming elections. The survey posed the question, “If Imran Khan is not the chairman of PTI but the party participates in the election, will you vote for such a party?” With 63% responding in the negative and only 37% expressing a willingness to support the party sans Khan.

The absence of Imran Khan as PTI chairman is not the only challenge facing the party; the Islamabad High Court’s rejection of the plea to suspend the trial court’s sentence in the Tosha Khana case has further complicated matters.

This decision effectively bars Imran Khan from contesting the imminent general elections. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan expressed concern, stating that with the current election schedule, there are only a few days left to secure a favorable decision from the Supreme Court.

The party remains hopeful that the Supreme Court may rule in their favor, asserting that the suspension of detention in the Tosha Khana case implies the suspension of the sentence. However, legal experts dispute this interpretation, contending that the suspension of the sentence does not equate to the suspension of the crime.

In August of this year, Imran Khan, former Prime Minister, was sentenced to three years in prison and a fine of Rs 1 lakh in the Tosha Khana case. The charges revolved around the misuse of his position to sell government gifts worth Rs 140 million, received from various foreign dignitaries during foreign visits.

With the clock ticking and the election schedule already released, PTI finds itself in a race against time to secure a favorable legal decision and salvage their electoral prospects in the absence of their charismatic leader, Imran Khan.