Will Trump’s expected win in US polls bring good news for Pakistan’s jailed Imran Khan?

Pakistan’s former premier Imran Khan remains behind bars after he was arrested in August 2023 following his conviction on corruption charges related to the Toshakhana case – where he was accused of selling state gifts, unlawfully – among many other charges. However, many of Khan’s allies believe that Republican candidate Donald Trump’s expected triumph in the U.S. presidential elections could turn the tables around or at least bring a sigh of relief to imprisoned Khan in Pakistan. But the question remains, why so?

History tells us a tale of fairly chummy relations between the two populist leaders during Khan’s regime that also shared a bit of ups and downs. In fact, the cricketer-turned-Pakistani politician often praised Trump for his “out of the box” thinking style, which he said resonated with him in several ways.

Khan previously remarked that Trump, a frequent muse for internet memes, was “quite unpredictable when it comes to his unconventional political approach” – again, a flair that Khan attributes to the successes both leaders carved out in their distinct political careers.

Imran Khan charms Trump in White House

On the contrary, Trump’s approach toward Pakistan, and especially Khan, was a mix of praise and pragmatism. No surprises there, as the former U.S. president is known for his transactional style, focusing more on whether the outcome aligned with Washington’s strategic or economic interests rather than the shared manifestos of both parties. However, Khan’s meeting with Trump at the White House in Washington, D.C., in 2019 was a real game changer for what a few political experts called a reset for U.S.-Pakistan relations.

The meeting had ushered in as a fresh breeze after Trump suspended military aid to Pakistan in 2018, citing Islamabad’s failure to do enough to combat terrorism, leading to severed ties between the two nuclear-armed countries. But supposedly, Khan’s charm won Trump in the Washington meeting, where the latter expressed willingness to mediate the Kashmir dispute, a significant point of contention between Pakistan and its old nemesis India, and also acknowledged Pakistan’s role in facilitating dialogue with the Taliban.

“We’re getting along very well. I would say we’ve never been closer to Pakistan than we are right now,” Trump had said back then. But are these fleeting moments of hope enough to revive Khan’s tumultuous political career in Pakistan?

Well, experts opine that while the scenario remains multifaceted, Khan can expect slightly better circumstances compared to the treatment he received from Joe Biden, who notably did not even reach out to Khan after his election victory in 2020. In fact, there was no phone call or direct communication from Biden to Khan for over six months following his inauguration and when both held office in their respective countries. Despite this, official U.S. authorities, including the State Department, have clarified that Khan’s legal disputes are solely the responsibility of Pakistan’s judiciary. They refuted claims that Trump’s return may directly influence Khan’s predicament, reiterating that Washington does not interfere in Islamabad’s internal affairs.

‘Allah, army and America’

Commenting on the matter, Pakistani journalist Zain Siddiqui, who has experience leading and working with two of Pakistan’s renowned newsrooms, said: “However, it would be naive to assume that an American president would act solely on these bases to interfere in an internal matter for another country. Even if they do do so, such a ‘favor’ will come with strings attached.”

Siddiqui underscored a very significant factor: “There’s a saying in Pakistan that to rule, you need three things: Allah, the Army and Amreeka (referring to the United States of America). It seems that by driving a wedge between the American administration and the Pakistani state, Khan’s supporters will definitely seek to ‘reverse’ his ouster. How far those attempts are successful remains to be seen.”

It all depends on how invested Trump is in Pakistan’s affairs, especially when he has stated that he wants to fix America first, he opined.

The Pakistani journo further noted that there has been some indication that influential Pakistanis in the U.S. will seek to lobby hard with Trump for Khan’s relief, probably by pointing out the similarities both men share. “An influential Pakistani-American group has explicitly endorsed Trump for precisely this reason,” he pointed out.

Career parallels between Imran Khan and Trump

Having said that, on a lighter note, the uncanny similarities between Trump’s and Khan’s political paths are hard to ignore. Their careers are defined by fascinating parallels that call for comparison, highlighting their distinct approaches to leadership and public engagement. Both leaders had enjoyed their celebrity statuses before holding positions in office. Khan is known for his charismatic personality around the world and his celebrity stature, especially after he brought Pakistan’s first cricket World Cup in 1992.

On the other hand, Trump was a celebrated real estate mogul and an eccentric television personality. Both leaders share a populist appeal, portraying themselves as advocates of change who challenge political establishments. Throughout their ruling tenures, both leaders have received a great deal of criticism and stirred controversies. Trump’s presidency is remembered by multiple scandals and a rocky relationship with the media, whereas Khan has faced several allegations and struggled with political opposition.

Another not-so-surprising factor of commonality: Both leaders position themselves as outsiders, challenging the status quo. All in all, both leaders are known for their dramatic political clashes, mobilizing supporters, and keeping the journalists on their toes for busy news days. For instance, Trump faced an aggressive uprising at the Capitol after losing the election, while Khan’s political downfall led to violent rallies by his followers against the political establishment in Pakistan.

Considering Trump’s approach to keeping his circle tight with his preference to surround himself with like-minded individuals, it’s hard to determine Khan’s fate with certainty. However, Khan’s supporters believe that hope always springs eternal, fueling their expectations for Khan’s better days in politics.