Pakistan has lived through years of political tension. Governments fall before finishing their terms. Courts and the army pull in different directions. Prices keep rising for ordinary families.
If you want a clear picture of the Pakistan political crises shaping the country today, this guide breaks it down in simple terms, from how it started to what could happen next.
What is the Pakistan political crisis?
At its core, this is a struggle for power between three groups: elected civilian leaders, the military establishment, and the judiciary.
Since 2022, Pakistan has seen a prime minister removed through a no confidence vote, a former premier jailed on dozens of cases, two major constitutional amendments that reshaped the courts, and repeated street protests.
Add in a shaky economy and rising regional security threats, and you get a crisis that touches almost every part of daily life in Pakistan.
Background: How the crisis began
The current phase traces back to April 2022, when opposition parties removed Prime Minister Imran Khan through a no confidence motion in parliament. Khan blamed the military for not backing him and launched a public campaign against army interference in politics, something that had rarely happened so openly before.
Tensions kept rising. In May 2023, Khan’s brief arrest triggered riots, and some protesters attacked military sites, including the army headquarters in Rawalpindi. Thousands of his supporters were arrested afterward.
By August 2023, Khan was back in jail, this time on the Toshakhana case, and he has remained behind bars since. The disputed general election of February 2024 followed, with Khan’s party contesting as independents due to a symbol ban, yet still winning the most seats. A coalition of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) formed the government instead.
Timeline of major political events
- April 2022: Imran Khan removed through a no confidence vote.
- May 2023: Khan’s arrest sparks nationwide riots and a military crackdown on his party.
- August 2023: Khan jailed on the Toshakhana case, starting his ongoing imprisonment.
- February 2024: Disputed general election brings a PML N and PPP coalition to power.
- October 2024: The 26th Constitutional Amendment passes overnight, changing how judges are appointed and capping the Chief Justice’s term.
- November 2025: The 27th Amendment creates a new Federal Constitutional Court and extends military command powers, prompting two senior Supreme Court judges to resign.
- February 2026: Reports confirm Khan has lost most of his vision in one eye due to delayed treatment, sparking sit-ins outside parliament.
- 2026 onward: PTI forms the “Imran Khan Release Force” and continues street protests demanding his release.
Main causes of Pakistan’s political crisis
Several forces feed this ongoing instability.
An uneven balance of power. Pakistan’s military has long shaped political outcomes behind the scenes. Recent constitutional changes have made that role more formal rather than less.
Disputed elections. Both the 2018 and 2024 elections faced credible allegations of rigging, which left large parts of the public doubting the system.
A weakened judiciary. The 26th and 27th Amendments shifted judicial appointments toward parliament and the executive, and critics, including international legal bodies, say this reduces the courts’ independence.
Economic pressure. High inflation, a heavy debt burden, and tough IMF conditions have squeezed household budgets, feeding public frustration.
Media restrictions. Journalists covering opposition politics have faced arrests and channel disruptions, narrowing the space for open political debate.
Regional security threats. Rising attacks in Balochistan and tension along the Afghan border pull government attention and money away from domestic reform.
Major political parties and leaders
- PML N, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, heads the ruling coalition.
- PPP, with Asif Ali Zardari as President and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari as a senior leader, is PML N’s main coalition partner.
- PTI, founded by jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan and now chaired by Gohar Ali Khan, remains the largest opposition force despite years of arrests and legal cases against its leaders.
- TTAP (Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen Pakistan), an opposition alliance that includes PTI and parties led by figures like Mahmood Khan Achakzai, has organized nationwide protests against the recent amendments.
Role of state institutions
Parliament passed both the 26th and 27th Amendments within hours of introducing them, using its two thirds majority and leaving little room for public debate. The military’s influence has grown stronger through these changes, including protections around senior command structure.
The judiciary, meanwhile, is visibly split. Two senior judges resigned in protest after the 27th Amendment passed, calling it a serious blow to judicial independence, while the government defended the reforms as necessary to modernize governance and improve accountability.
This pattern of tightening control is not limited to the mainland. After months of sit-ins in Rawalakot over economic and constitutional grievances, the Azad Kashmir government banned the Joint Awami Action Committee, the alliance behind the protests.
Even under that ban, key leaders continue to quit the banned JAAC, a sign of how much pressure the crackdown has put on the movement from within.
Economic and social impact
The political crisis and the economic crisis feed each other. Debt repayments now eat up nearly half of federal revenue, leaving little for schools, hospitals, or development projects. IMF backed reforms have raised fuel and electricity prices sharply.
Recent floods have added further strain on already thin social safety nets. In Balochistan, ongoing militant attacks have scared off foreign investors, with foreign direct investment dropping sharply compared to the previous year.
Latest political developments
The biggest story in 2026 has been Imran Khan’s health. Reports of major vision loss in his right eye, linked to delayed medical treatment, triggered sit-ins near parliament and a new PTI mobilization effort called the “Imran Khan Release Force.” The government insists his treatment has been adequate and accuses his family of politicizing the issue.
Kashmir politics added another flashpoint in July 2026, when PTI announced a boycott of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections, citing an unfair political environment and standing in solidarity with protesters demanding constitutional and economic reforms. PTI’s chairman has since disputed some reports of the move, which shows how fast this story is still developing.
Beyond domestic politics, Pakistan has stepped into a bigger regional role. Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir has taken part in diplomatic efforts around the Iran conflict, and Islamabad has offered mineral investment opportunities to the United States.
What could happen next?
A few paths seem possible. The current hybrid arrangement, where civilian leaders govern under strong military influence, could continue for now, since no major institution appears ready to challenge it directly.
A negotiated settlement that eventually frees Imran Khan is not impossible, especially if public pressure or his health condition worsens further, though there is no clear timeline for that. Continued protests from PTI and its allies look likely, especially if court rulings keep going against the opposition.
On the economic side, recovery depends heavily on staying compliant with IMF terms and improving security in Balochistan, since investors are watching both closely. Tensions along the Afghan border remain a wildcard that could pull attention and resources away from domestic politics at any time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is Pakistan’s political crisis about?
It is an ongoing power struggle between civilian leaders, the military, and the judiciary, made worse by disputed elections and economic strain.
Q. Why is Imran Khan still in jail?
He faces more than 150 legal cases. Some convictions have been overturned, but new charges have kept him behind bars since August 2023.
Q. What did the 26th and 27th Amendments change?
They shifted judicial appointments toward parliament and the executive and created a new Federal Constitutional Court, moves critics say weaken judicial independence.
Q. How does the crisis affect ordinary Pakistanis?
Through higher prices, reduced investment, and slower job growth, since political uncertainty makes it harder to plan long term economic reforms.
Q. Will Pakistan hold new elections soon?
There is no confirmed date. The current coalition government is expected to serve its term unless political or judicial pressure forces an earlier vote.