Imran Khan’s TIME Op-Ed: Exposing the Game or Playing by the Script?

 

Imran Khan’s op-ed in TIME Magazine raises some important questions about Pakistan’s democracy, civil-military relations, and foreign influence—but one must ask, is his narrative complete?

For years, Pakistan has struggled with external pressures, particularly from the United States, which has historically influenced its leadership, economic policies, and strategic decisions. If Imran Khan speaks about democracy and justice, why didn’t he strongly question the role of global powers in engineering political instability within Pakistan?

Moreover, while he criticizes his removal from office as a foreign-backed conspiracy, wasn’t his own tenure marked by military support until things fell apart? Can any leader in Pakistan truly claim independence unless they challenge both internal and external power structures?

Another crucial point—why do global platforms like TIME Magazine suddenly become interested in Pakistani leaders once they are out of power? Is it truly about supporting democracy, or just another case of selective narratives? If international forces genuinely cared about democracy, why are they silent on human rights violations in Palestine, Kashmir, and other conflict zones?

While Imran Khan’s article reflects real issues, the bigger question remains—does any Pakistani leader have the courage to challenge the real power brokers running the show behind the scenes? Or are they all just different sides of the same coin, playing in a script written elsewhere?