Pakistan’s Khan Demands Early Polls After By-Election Win

Punjab province was voting in by-elections to fill 20 seats
The win gives Khan an edge should early elections be called

Imran Khan at a protest rally against the inflation, political destabilisation and continued hikes in fuel prices, on July 2.Photographer: Farooq Naeem/AFP/Getty Images

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By Kamran Haider and Ismail Dilawar

July 17, 2022 at 7:27 AM UTC

Updated on

July 18, 2022 at 10:13 AM UTC

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Former Pakistan premier Imran Khan called for early national elections after his party swept the by-elections in the country’s most populous state, underscoring the risks the government faces as it seeks a bailout from the International Monetary Fund.

Khan was ousted in April following a protracted political drama that saw Shehbaz Sharif take over as prime minister. Since then Khan has held massive public rallies demanding the country head to the ballot ahead of the scheduled October 2023 dates. He’s now touting Sunday’s electoral win as a sign of popular support for his party.