In the turbulent world of Pakistani politics, few figures have stirred as much controversy as Imran Khan and his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). A recent statement by Shafi Jan, a PTI spokesman and Special Assistant to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Information and Public Relations, has sent shockwaves through the nation. “No Imran Khan, no PTI,” he declared, laying bare what many critics have long suspected: PTI is not a genuine political party but a cult built around the charisma of one man.
This revelation confirms the fears that PTI under Imran Khan is destroying Pakistan, allegedly supporting terrorist groups like Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), while ripping apart the country’s social fabric. Shafi Jan’s words are not just a slip of the tongue; they are a damning indictment from within the party’s own ranks.
As someone deeply embedded in PTI’s structure, his admission highlights the fragility of the organization. Without Imran Khan’s larger-than-life persona, PTI crumbles like a house of cards. This dependency on a single leader is the hallmark of a cult, not a democratic political entity. In true cults, followers worship the leader blindly, ignoring facts, logic, and the greater good. Imran Khan’s PTI fits this description perfectly, with supporters treating him as a messiah who can do no wrong, even as his policies and rhetoric plunge Pakistan into deeper chaos.
Imran Khan rose to power in 2018 on promises of “Naya Pakistan” – a new, corruption-free nation where justice prevails. But what did we get? A regime marked by economic mismanagement, political vendettas, and a dangerous flirtation with extremist elements. Under his watch, inflation skyrocketed, unemployment soared, and foreign relations hit rock bottom. Yet, his die-hard fans, often called “Youthias” in derisive terms, defend him fiercely, dismissing critics as traitors or puppets of the establishment. This blind loyalty is the essence of the PTI cult Imran Khan has cultivated.
One of the most alarming aspects is PTI’s alleged support for terrorist outfits like TTP and BLA. Critics point to Imran Khan’s soft stance on the Taliban, famously calling them “our brothers” during his tenure. His government released TTP prisoners and attempted negotiations that many saw as appeasement rather than strategy. This approach emboldened the militants, leading to increased attacks on Pakistani soil. In Balochistan, the BLA has exploited the discontent fueled by PTI’s neglect of the province’s issues. While PTI claims to fight for justice, its actions or inactions have allowed these groups to thrive, endangering national security.
Shafi Jan’s statement indirectly underscores this: without Khan’s charismatic cover, PTI’s true colors as a enabler of division become evident. The destruction of Pakistan’s social fabric under Imran Khan cannot be overstated. PTI has polarized society like never before. Khan’s rhetoric divides people into “us vs. them” , his supporters versus everyone else.
Social media, once a tool for connection, has become a battlefield where PTI trolls harass opponents, spread fake news, and incite violence. Families are torn apart over political allegiances; friends turn into foes. This toxic environment has eroded trust in institutions, from the judiciary to the military.
Imran Khan’s constant attacks on the establishment have weakened the state’s cohesion, making Pakistan vulnerable to internal and external threats. Consider the youth, whom Khan claims to champion. PTI lured them with dreams of change, but delivered despair. Millions of young Pakistanis, radicalized by Khan’s populist speeches, now reject democratic norms. They storm government buildings, as seen in the May 9 riots following Khan’s arrest, attacking symbols of the state.
This isn’t politics; it’s anarchy disguised as revolution. The PTI cult Imran Khan leads has brainwashed a generation, turning potential builders of the nation into destroyers. Economically, Imran Khan’s PTI has been a disaster. His government borrowed record amounts from international lenders, pushing Pakistan to the brink of default. Policies like the infamous “chicken and eggs” economic model mocked the struggles of ordinary people.
While Khan lived in luxury, the poor suffered. PTI’s corruption scandals, from the sugar crisis to the BRT project fiasco in Peshawar, exposed the hypocrisy. Yet, the cult refuses to see it, chanting “Kaptaan” as if it’s a magic spell to solve all problems. Shafi Jan, in his role as Special Assistant, knows the inner workings of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s government under PTI. The province, once a beacon of PTI’s “success,” is now plagued by mismanagement.
Health and education reforms promised by Khan remain unfulfilled. Terrorism has resurged, with TTP finding safe havens amid weak governance. Jan’s statement is a wake-up call: PTI exists only because of Khan’s cult of personality. Remove him, and the party dissolves, revealing it as a vehicle for one man’s ego rather than a platform for public service.
This cult mentality has international repercussions too. Imran Khan’s conspiracy theories about foreign interference alienated allies like the US and Saudi Arabia. His ouster in 2022 via a no-confidence vote was spun as a “regime change” plot, further dividing the nation. PTI supporters abroad stage protests, damaging Pakistan’s image. The diaspora, once a source of remittances, is now polarized, with PTI events turning into echo chambers of hate.
Women and minorities have fared no better under the PTI cult Imran Khan promotes. Despite claims of empowerment, Khan’s misogynistic remarks, like blaming women for assaults, set back gender progress. Minorities face increased persecution, with PTI’s silence on issues like forced conversions speaking volumes.
The social fabric, woven from diverse threads, is unraveling as PTI prioritizes loyalty to Khan over national unity. Education, a pillar of any society, has been neglected. PTI’s “uniform curriculum” push ignored cultural sensitivities, imposing a one-size-fits-all approach that alienated regions.
Youth radicalization through PTI’s narrative has led to a generation skeptical of facts, preferring Khan’s version of truth. This erodes critical thinking, essential for Pakistan’s progress.
Healthcare under PTI was a joke. The Sehat Card scheme, touted as revolutionary, faced funding issues and corruption. During COVID-19, Khan’s denialism, suggesting “hot water and lemon” as cures endangered lives. The cult blindly followed, rejecting vaccines and science.
Environmentally, PTI’s “Billion Tree Tsunami” was more PR than reality, with audits revealing inflated numbers. Meanwhile, climate change ravages Pakistan, but PTI focused on photo-ops rather than policy.
The judiciary and media have suffered too. PTI’s attacks on judges and journalists who criticize Khan stifle free speech. The cult demands absolute allegiance, labeling dissent as betrayal. Shafi Jan’s confession is timely. As PTI faces internal rifts, with leaders jumping ship, it proves the party’s foundation is sand. Without Khan, there’s no ideology, no structure just a void.
The nation deserves better than a one-man show leading it to ruin. It’s time to move beyond the cult and embrace true democracy.