Justice, humanity and self-reliance’, the slogan with which Imran Khan formed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (Movement for Justice) into a political party in April 1996, encapsulates its governance measures today.
Anyone who has grown up during the 1980s and 1990s and who voted for him in the 2000s can vouch for one thing: Imran Khan is the only one they knew in Pakistan who fit the definition of a world-renowned celebrity.
From cricket to philanthropy to politics The “Great” Khan, as many like to call him, established himself as a people’s leader. Kaptaan, as he is more fondly known nationwide, is a man who has set standards of dreaming big, managing failure and unmatched resilience – qualities he may have nurtured ever since his cricketing days.
The first ten years of its formation saw tough times from winning no electoral seat in 1997, gaining a single seat in the National Assembly in 2002, Imran Khan’s imprisonment under the Lawyer’s Movement, and resignation from his parliamentary seat in 2007 to boycotting the 2008 national elections.
It was not until 2011; the ‘third force’ gained momentum. It was famously quoted that Khan’s voters are finally out of school. The jalsas gathered unprecedented urban and semi-urban crowds – the tsunami was building.
Imran Khan and PTI spent the next four years protesting against the politics of power and the consequent electoral rigging and corruption by the then government, calling for accountability of politicians – a concept unheard of before.
What happened next was a series of events leading to his undoubted victory in 2018. In 2014, Imran Khan took out a long march to the capital and held the longest ever sit-in against alleged rigging in the 2013 polls. The sit-in continued for 126 days and was the longest display of non-violent, organized protest against the government.
After a strong campaign in the lead-up to the 2013 polls, PTI emerged as the second-largest party in terms of votes received and sat on the opposition benches with 32 seats in the National Assembly.
Opposition united opposition protests against Imran Khan’s rule
Supporters of the ruling Pakistan Tehree-e-Insaf political party flash victory signs while they gather outside the National Assembly to celebrate Prime Minister Imran Khan winning a vote of confidence in Islamabad. Khan handily won a vote of confidence from the National Assembly, days after the embarrassing defeat of his ruling party’s key candidate in Senate elections.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insafthe (PTI) is fighting tooth and nail for the supremacy of law in the country, which is a battle for the soul of Pakistan.
While speaking via a video link on the occasion of PTI’s 25th Youm-e-Tasees (foundation day) Prime Minister Imran Khan said PTI is the only political entity in the country’s history to launch a campaign against corruption.
The prime minister further said that more than two decades ago, he formed the party in view of the fact that corruption was damaging the country.
He said that when people in power resort to corrupt practices then a nation is destined to face a decline, adding that 25-year-five years ago, he and his friends named the party after the concept of Insaf (justice) because, without justice, corruption cannot be eradicated.
Speaking about the political journey of the PTI, Imran Khan said that several people joined his party and left however, he never gave up despite all odds.
Live Stream: Prime Minister Imran Khan's Exclusive Message on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf 25th Youm-e-Tasees (25.04.2021)#PTI25Years_AgainstMafiahttps://t.co/d3Sk2ptwCa
— PTI (@PTIofficial) April 25, 2021
