Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (abbr. PTI) is a political party in Pakistan and one of the three major Pakistani political parties alongside Pakistan Muslim League (N) and Pakistan Peoples Party. With a centrist politcial position and populist ideology, it was established in 1996 by cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, who served as the country's prime minister from 2018 to 2022. The party is led by Gohar Ali Khan since December 2023.
Despite Khan's popular persona in Pakistan, the PTI had limited initial success: it failed to win, as a collective, a single seat in the 1997 general election and the 2002 general election; only Khan himself was able to win a seat. From 1999 to 2007, the PTI supported the presidency of General Pervez Musharraf. It later rose in opposition to Musharraf in 2007 and also boycotted the 2008 general election, accusing it of having been conducted with fraudulent procedures under Musharraf's rule. The global popularity of the "Third Way" during the Musharraf era led to the rise of a new Pakistani political bloc focused on centrism, deviating from the traditional dominance of the centre-left PPP and the centre-right PML–N. When the PML–Q began to decline in the aftermath of Musharraf's presidency, much of its centrist voter bank was lost to the PTI. Around the same time, the PPP's popularity began to decrease after the disqualification of Yusuf Raza Gillani in 2012. With a claimed membership of over 10 million in Pakistan in 2012, the PTI appealed to many former PPP voters, particularly in the provinces of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, due to its outlook on populism.
In the 2013 general election, the PTI emerged as a major party with over 7.5 million votes, ranking second by number of votes and third by number of seats won. At the provincial level, it was voted to power in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. During its time in opposition, the PTI, with the help of popular slogans such as Tabdeeli Arahi Hai (lit. 'change is coming'), mobilized people in rallies over public distress on various national issues, the most notable of which was the 2014 Azadi march. In the 2018 general election, it received 16.9 million votes—the largest amount for any political party in Pakistan thus far. It became the largest party in terms of representation in the National Assembly of Pakistan since the 2018 general election and then formed the national government in coalition with five other parties for the first time, with Khan serving as the new Pakistani prime minister. However, in April 2022, a no-confidence motion against Khan removed him and his PTI government from office at the federal level. Following the 2024 election, PTI's successful candidates joined Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) at Khan's behest and, as SIC, govern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at provincial level and serve as the largest opposition party in Punjab.
Officially, the PTI has stated that its focus is on turning Pakistan into a model welfare state espousing Islamic socialism, and also on dismantling religious discrimination against Pakistani minorities. The PTI terms itself an anti–status quo movement advocating an Islamic democracy centred on egalitarianism. It claims to be the only non-dynastic party of mainstream Pakistani politics in contrast to parties such as the PPP and PML–N. Since 2019, the party has been criticized by political opponents and analysts alike for its failures to address various economic and political issues, particularly the Pakistani economy, which was further weakened in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Khan and the PTI were later praised for leading the country's economic recovery in the pandemic's later stages. During its time in power, the party faced backlash over its crackdown on the Pakistani opposition as well as its regulation of increased censorship through curbs on Pakistani media outlets and freedom of speech.
The party faced a crackdown following the May 9 riots, with arrests, detention and the resignation of party leaders, while the government claimed that this action was a necessary response to the violence, vandalism, and arson allegedly carried out by PTI officeholders and supporters. On 2 December 2023, Gohar Ali Khan was elected unopposed as the Chairman of PTI. Imran Khan nominated him for the position of the new chairman of PTI.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf was founded by Imran Khan on 25 April 1996 in Lahore. Founded initially as a sociopolitical movement, in June 1996, the first Central Executive Committee of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf was formed under the leadership of Imran Khan, including Naeemul Haque, Ahsan Rasheed, Hafeez Khan, Mowahid Hussain, Mahmood Awan, and Nausherwan Burki as founding members. PTI began to grow slowly but did not achieve immediate popularity.
After Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in 2007 and Nawaz Sharif returned from self-exile in Saudi Arabia, pressure increased upon President Musharraf to hold democratic elections. PTI, in conjunction with many political parties, joined the All Parties Democratic Movement, which was opposed to further military rule. The general election in 2008 resulted in a PPP victory. However, PTI boycotted this election in protest against electoral manipulation by Pervez Musharraf. A membership drive in November and December 2008 resulted in 150,000 people joining the party.
PTI emerged as a major party in the 2013 Pakistani general election and raised public distress on various issues against the government in the following years. PTI became the opposition party in Punjab and Sindh, with Imran Khan becoming the parliamentary leader of the party. PTI swooped the militancy-hit northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and formed the provincial government. The PTI-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, known as the Pervez Khattak Administration presented a balanced, tax-free budget for the fiscal year 2013–14. In governance, PTI tried to move with religious ulema (clergy) to end discrimination against female education. But the policy of Madrassah reforms, especially funding Darul Uloom Haqqania renowned for its links with Taliban and killers of Benazir Bhutto was criticised by many. The financial accountability introduced by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under PTI's government entitled it to an extra Rs 1.5 billion ($150 million) from the federal government. PTI's Chief Minister, Pervez Khattak began infrastructure projects to build dams which aimed to limit flooding and provide small scale electricity in remote areas. Khattak carried out healthcare reforms such as introducing Health Insurance Scheme, Sehat Sahulat Program for poor people and an 'Insulin for life' fund. Khattak also inspected hospitals and dismissed alleged corrupt staff and absent staff, often on the spot. Anti-corruption drives in the police led to the conviction of officers found to be corrupt.
On 13 November 2013, Chairman Imran Khan ordered Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pervez Khattak to dismiss Bakht Baidar and Ibrar Hussan Kamoli of the Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) over corruption allegations and to end the PTI's alliance with the party. Baidar, Minister for Manpower and Industry, and Kamoli, Minister for Forest and Environment, were removed, respectively.
A year after elections, on 11 May 2014, PTI alleged that the 2013 general elections were rigged in favour of the ruling PML (N). On 14 August 2014, Imran Khan led a rally of supporters from Lahore to Islamabad, demanding Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's resignation and investigation into alleged electoral fraud. On its way to the capital, the PTI convoy was attacked by stones from PML (N) supporters in Gujranwala; there were no fatalities. On 15 August, PTI-led protesters entered the capital and a few days later marched into the high-security Red Zone; on 1 September 2014, according to Al Jazeera protesters attempted to storm Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's official residence, which prompted the outbreak of violence. Three people died and more than 595 people were injured, including 115 police officers. Prior to the violence that resulted in deaths, Imran Khan asked his followers to take law into their own hands.
By September 2014, PTI entered into a de facto alliance with Canadian-Pakistani cleric Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri and his Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT); both aimed to mobilise their supporters for regime change. Khan entered into an agreement with the Sharif administration to establish a three-member high-powered judicial commission which would be formed under a presidential ordinance.
In 2017, Chairman Imran Khan and PTI ally Sheikh Rasheed petitioned the Panama Papers Case in the aftermath of the Panama Papers leak, which uncovered links between the Sharif family and eight offshore companies. The Court initially ordered the formation of a joint investigation team (JIT) to inquire into allegations of money laundering, corruption, and contradictory statements by Sharif and his relations in a 3–2 split decision on 20 April 2017, with the dissenting judges ruling that Sharif be disqualified. After the JIT submitted its report and subsequent arguments were heard, the Court disqualified Sharif from holding public office by unanimous verdict. The case was described as the most publicized in Pakistan's history, as well as a "defining moment" for the country.
During the 2017 intra-party elections, 2.7 million party workers cast their votes in a two-day process for party positions. Imran Khan was re-elected chairman by a large margin. Khan was chairing the Insaf panel and earned 189,055 votes while the rival Ehtesab panel secured 41,647 votes. Around 26,256 votes were rejected. The results were the following:
In the 2018 Pakistani general election, PTI launched a countrywide populist and anti-corruption campaign. PTI’s campaign gained confidence after its biggest opponent, Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N) fell to major corruption allegations following the Panama Papers Case. PTI won a large plurality across the country becoming the largest party in the National Assembly following its widespread campaign for a ‘Naya Pakistan’ (New Pakistan). PTI also won an even larger majority in Khyber Pakhunkhwa a second time and won the most seats in Punjab to form a government. The party also became the largest opposition party in Sindh and received significant representation in Balochistan. PTI won a total of 116 of the 270 seats contested. Opposition parties, mainly PML-N, alleged major vote rigging and malpractices.
PTI’s taking office saw a break in the PPP and PML-N two-party system. In May 2018, PTI announced a 100-day agenda for a government. The agenda included sweeping reforms in almost all areas of government including creation of a new province in Southern Punjab, fast tracking of merger of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, betterment of law and order situation in Karachi, and betterment of relations with Baloch political leaders. PTI’s governance model was announced as to build Pakistan as a humanitarian state based on principles of the first Islamic state of Medina.
On 6 August 2018, PTI officially nominated Imran Khan as the candidate for prime minister. After the election, PTI formed a wide ranging coalition government of several parties falling at the political centre. Imran Khan and PTI made several key appointments and nominations for national and provincial level public office holders as the winning party. PTI’s cabinet placed top party leadership, Central General Secretary Asad Umar, Hammad Azhar and Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi in top ministries. Mahmood Khan was made Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by PTI. Imran Khan nominated a lesser-known figure, Usman Buzdar for Chief Minister of Punjab, though the appointment attracted criticism for incompetence from many PTI members including Jahangir Tareen and Asad Umar, who opposed the appointment of Buzdar, which rose doubts and tensions in the party.
During the party’s time in the federal government, PTI faced major rifts in the party over its party leadership including in Sindh, between bureaucrats and PTI politicians as well as other political parties. PTI’s provincial and national cabinets faced major reshuffles as PTI core member and Senior Minister of Punjab, Aleem Khan and Punjab Minister Sibtain Khan stepped down from the cabinet after being arrested on corruption charges. Top ministers in the PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet, Atif Khan, Shakeel Ahmad and Shahram Khan Tarakai were also expelled from the cabinet by Imran Khan after going against party directives to oust Chief Minister Mahmood Khan. The largest rift in relations would be with the Pakistan Armed Forces, which PTI’s relations would worsen with in 2022. The PTI federal government faced criticism on certain comments and policies such as slow growth economic growth during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Pakistanbut retained praise for handling the pandemic, and an economic recovery in later years. An austerity drive and a number of welfare programs were also set up by the PTI government to create a social safety net under the party’s flagship Ehsaas Programme and Sehat Insaf Card. The government was set to finish its term in 2023 but was ousted in a 2022 no confidence motion.
Following the no-confidence motion against his government in 2022, Party Chairman Imran Khan launched the Azadi March I and Azadi March II as a set of protests and marches against the Shehbaz Sharif government from May to November 2022. On 24 May 2022, Khan announced a long march (Azadi March I) towards Islamabad starting on 25 May 2022. Khan lead the march from Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where his provincial government helped him. Senior PTI members lead the march from Lahore, the capital of Punjab. Imran Khan asked people to reach the Srinagar Highway in Islamabad to support his demands for early elections. His workers would stay in Islamabad as required, for their only demand would be to give a date for clean and transparent general elections and to dissolve assemblies. Addressing the bureaucracy and the police, Khan said it would be illegal for them to take any action against the "peaceful protest". Addressing the Pakistan Army, he said "if you are neutral then be neutral too". It was expected that the protest would involve around 2 million workers marching to Islamabad and that they would remain there until the election is declared. The protesters, led by Imran Khan, aimed to hold a sit-in at D-Chowk in Islamabad until the date for the dissolution of assemblies and a date for new general elections was announced. Imran Khan gave a six-day ultimatum to the government to declare elections and dissolve assemblies.
Imran announced a movement for Haqeeqi Azadi, translated ‘Real Freedom’. The Azadi March II started when Khan announced on 25 October 2022, that the long march will begin on 28 October, from Liberty Chowk, Lahore, and will end in Islamabad before turning into a sit-in. There was an attempted assassination of Imran Khan during the early days of the march. Khan decided to push for the dissolution of the provincial assemblies of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to force early elections instead of continuing the march.
In the second wave of expansion, the PTI welcomed Parvez Elahi, Moonis Elahi and ten former MPAs of the Pakistan Muslim League (Q) (PML(Q)) into the party after political rifts emerged between the President of the PML(Q), Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Parvez Elahi. Elahi was the former president of the Punjab Division of the PML(Q). On 7 March 2023, Parvez Elahi took the charge as the President of PTI, a party position that was previously held by Javed Hashmi. However, as per the constitution of the PTI that was approved on 1 August 2022 by Imran Khan and the party's National Council, the position of President does not exist in the structure of the party.
On 19 March 2023, Ijaz-ul-Haq, the leader of the Pakistan Muslim League (Z) (PML(Z)) along with his party members, joined the PTI after meeting with Imran Khan. The PML(Z) was also merged into the PTI. On 29 May 2023, Ijaz later denied the rumours of PML-Z getting merged into PTI.
On 9 May 2023, after the arrest of Imran Khan, the leader of the PTI, from the Islamabad High Court grounds, nationwide demonstrations by PTI supporters turned into violent riots. PTI workers and members caused incidents of vandalism, looting, and arson, resulting in Rs. 1.98 billion in damages to government and military facilities. Punjab Police, using geo-fencing reports, alleged that Imran Khan and key PTI leaders coordinated efforts to incite attacks on the residence of the Lahore corps commander and other sensitive locations. Police reported over 400 calls made by PTI leaders, including Imran Khan, instructing rioters to target these areas. Inspector General of Police Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar confirmed the use of geo-fencing to trace these communications, naming Imran Khan as a prime suspect in orchestrating the attacks. Other PTI leaders involved included Hammad Azhar, Yasmin Rashid, Mehmood-ur-Rasheed, Ejaz Chaudhary, Mian Aslam Iqbal, and Murad Raas, all of whom were reportedly in contact with the rioters and issued specific instructions for the attacks, while PTI has denied these claims and alleged that government agencies were behind the riots. Furthermore, PTI has alleged that the May 9 riots were a “false flag operation” designed by the Pakistan Armed Forces and The Establishment to destroy and crackdown on the party as well as to arbitrarily arrest party leadership.
A detailed order from Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Khalid Arshad implicated PTI's founder, Imran Khan, in orchestrating attacks on military installations, government properties, and police officials. The order revealed that Khan had instructed PTI leaders to create chaos and exert pressure for his release if arrested, as testified by two prosecution witnesses. The court order described a meeting held on 7 May 2023, where Khan allegedly directed PTI leaders to prepare for potential unrest on May 9, should he be detained. He purportedly warned through a video message of a scenario akin to Sri Lanka's unrest; if he were to be arrested, encouraging party workers to engage in what he termed a "real jihad for real freedom." The prosecution suggested that Khan orchestrated a criminal conspiracy, rallying top PTI leadership to incite actions that culminated in the attack and arson of the Jinnah House (Corp Commander House, Lahore), aiming to intimidate the government. The Lahore High Court meanwhile stated that Imran Khan had no relation to the May 9 riots and that there is no audio or video evidence available on record to prove that Khan was behind the attacks on state installations on 9 May 2023. In 2024 Khan also endorsed Army Corps Commanders' statement for a May 9 probe, calling for severe punishment and added CCTV footage should be used for identification, saying "[n]either we are anti-army nor want a clash with forces".
After the riots, a crackdown was initiated by government of Shehbaz Sharif against PTI leaders and workers, with thousands arrested, with rights groups raising concerns regarding arbitrary arrests, custodial torture, and forced disappearances. PTI revealed evidence suggesting that PTI workers and party members were harassed, and unlawfully arrested. PTI leaders were forced to quit party/party positions in televised press conferences. Businesses of PTI leaders who did not quit the party were sealed. Mian Aslam Iqbal alleged that dowry for his daughter's wedding was seized by Punjab Police; and Ali Nawaz Awan alleged that his home was demolished. A crackdown was also initiated on vocal women supporters of PTI - the most prominent of which was Khadija Shah, a businesswoman and granddaughter of former Pakistani Army Chief, Asif Nawaz Janjua. Former Federal Ministers, Shehryar Khan Afridi and Ali Muhammad Khan, former Governor Punjab Omer Sarfraz Cheema, and former Punjab provincial ministers, Yasmin Rashid and Mehmood-ur-Rasheed have been incarcerated since the end of the riots. Even once released by the courts, they were immediately re-arrested in other cases; Khan has been rearrested six times, while Afridi, and Rashid have been rearrested twice. Cheema's wife was arrested as she came to attend her husband's hearing. Afridi was not allowed to attend his brother's funeral and was kept in inhumane conditions in a 'death cell' reserved for those on death row.
Dozens of PTI leaders resigned after the May 9 protests, including: Faiz Ullah Kamoka, Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain, Aftab Siddiqui, Dost Muhammad Mazari, Hisham Inamullah Khan, Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, Usman Khan Tarakai, Mahmood Moulvi. and Shireen Mazari.
After Imran Khan’s arrest, the PTI was left without leadership to officially head in the 2024 elections, with most of the leadership such as the chairman Imran Khan and vice chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi imprisoned. With this, Gohar Ali Khan was elected as chairman, and Omar Ayub Khan was chosen as candidate for Prime minister on behalf of the PTI, although the new leadership was considered a “babysitting arrangement” by some and Imran Khan remained as a symbolic leader for the party. Khan does not hold the position of official chairman due to his current state in the Adiala Prison.
On 20 February 2024, PTI announced political alliance with the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) and Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM), in a bid to claim its share of reserved seats in the national, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies. Both the leaders said their alliance with the PTI is "unconditional".
The PTI's goal is to transform Pakistan into an "Islamic welfare state" that creates an equal society based on Medina state (Riyasat-e-Madinah). PTI plans to develop poverty reduction programmes, promote diverse livelihood options, improve the healthcare system, and improve educational system reforms.
The PTI proposed civilian control of Pakistan's military. The Inter-Services Intelligence service would report directly to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, and the defence budget would be audited by the government. Imran Khan also pledged to resign should any terrorism take place from Pakistani soil following these reforms. PTI organised a protest against drone attacks in Pakistan on 23 November 2013 at Peshawar, where it called on the federal government to force an end to U.S. CIA drone attacks and to block NATO supplies through the country to Afghanistan. "We will put pressure on America, and our protest will continue if drone attacks are not stopped." The U.S. embassy declined to comment on the protest that also temporarily closed a route leading to one of two border crossings used for the shipments.
The PTI also raised issue of religious tolerance and greater representation for minorities. PTI promised to crack down on police brutality, restructure the civil service, reform the electoral system, allow for a truly independent judiciary, decentralise state power, and enforce laws which extend personal liberty. On 20 February 2013 PTI launched its 'Education Policy' with plans to introduce a uniform education system with one curriculum in three languages for Urdu, English and regional languages for entire Pakistan in primary schools. The PTI advocated the establishment of South Punjab and Gilgit Baltistan as formal provinces of Pakistan.
In the 2018 election, Imran Khan promises to bring a "Naya Pakistan" (new Pakistan). Following its rise to national government in Pakistan, the PTI backed off from certain commitments in its manifesto what was criticised by its opponents as U-turns. Dawn has found that the progress on some promises is still stuck in its initial stages or has been marred with delays.
The PTI hopes to have a relationship with the US that would be based on "self-dignity and respect" and promised to stop all foreign aid to Pakistan. Imran Khan, the leader of PTI claimed "having relations with US, Russia and China is in Pakistan's interest" and Pakistan's "future is tied up with Russia". The PTI also promised to make the Kashmir issue a top priority and would try and solve the issue permanently so that Pakistan no longer has any border or territorial disputes with any of its neighbours.
The National Council serves as the governing body of the PTI. Its members include office bearers of provincial organizations, presidents of regional and district organizations, and five members nominated by various sectors such as women, youth, students, labour, farmers, minorities, lawyers, and overseas organizations. Additionally, advisors nominated by the chairman are part of the council. The National Council is responsible for electing central office-bearers.
In March 2012, PTI announced plans to conduct US-style intra-party elections, aiming to introduce local caucuses on district levels throughout the country. As part of this process, aspiring candidates would engage in debates and undergo primaries to secure a party ticket for contesting Provincial Assembly or National Assembly seats. The elections commenced in October 2012 and concluded on 23 March 2013, culminating in the election of the National Council after an extensive electoral process involving over four million registered members. With these elections, PTI became the first political party in Pakistan to conduct the largest intra-party election based on the general electoral base. On 2 December 2023, PTI held new intra-party elections, which were invalidated by Election Commission of Pakistan. The party conducted another intra-party election on 3 March 2024.
Most of PTI's central leadership was elected. Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi were elected on 20 March 2013. The Secretary information, Secretary Finance, Secretary Social Media, Secretary Political Training, and Secretary Policy Planning are appointed by the chairman and confirmed by the CEC.
In June 2014, a Central Tarbiyati Council was established, which is responsible for training party activists on ideology, election campaigns, and other organizational matters.
The Insaf Student Federation (ISF) serves as the official student wing of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf established its youth wing aimed at addressing the concerns and challenges faced by individuals under the age of 40.
On 18 March 2013, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced a policy for persons with disabilities (PWD) to raise awareness about the integration of persons with disabilities into society and work towards preventing certain avoidable disabilities through early diagnosis and medical treatment, after which the KPK government led by PTI approved a budget of over Rs 59 Million initially to provide rehabilitation services to handicapped people at local hospitals near their areas.
Insaf Research Wing (IRW) was established to conduct research aimed at finding solutions to issues in Pakistan. IRW was founded in 2009 for addressing issues within its area of expertise, covering socio-political, information technology, economics, energy, healthcare, corruption, foreign affairs, education, and environment sectors. It consists of nine committees.
The IRW has since been replaced by the Insaf Research Team.
PTI party membership may be suspended or cancelled for violations of party discipline. Typically, a show-cause notice is issued, and if the response is unsatisfactory, membership may be terminated.
In 2016, basic membership of Mufti Abdul Qawi was suspended and later he was expelled after a controversy erupted over selfies he took with the model Qandeel Baloch.
In 2018, party membership of Hamid Khan was suspended and a show cause notice was issued for "defaming and maligning" the party.
In February 2021, a show-cause notice was issued to party member Liaquat Ali Jatoi after he made allegations of corruption against the party leadership regarding the allocation of Senate election tickets. In March 2021, Aslam Abro and Shahryar Shar were expelled from the party for violating party discipline, with their memberships subsequently canceled. It was reported that both had accused the party leadership and voted against the party's candidates for Senate seats in Sindh.
In October 2022, Faisal Vawda's party membership was terminated over his contentious press conference.
In July 2023, PTI terminated the basic membership of twenty-two lawmakers and party members from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including its former Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mahmood Khan. These included Muhammad Ishtiaq Urmar, Muhammad Iqbal Wazir, Mohibullah Khan, Syed Ghazi Ghazan Jamal, Aghaz Ikramullah Gandapur, Ahmed Hussain Shah, Ibrahim Khattak, Muhammad Deedar, Shafiq Afridi, Saleh Muhammad, Zia Ullah Khan Bangash, Zahoor Shakir, Wilson Wazir, Iqbal Mian, Shah Faisal Khan, Shaukat Ali, Sher Akbar Khan, and Nadeem Khayal.
On 2 August 2023, PTI terminated basic party membership of twenty-two party leaders from South Punjab due to party policy violations, including its former Chief Minister of Punjab, Usman Buzdar. These included Sardar Muhammad Khan Laghari, Syed Nadeem Zaman Shah, Ehtisham ul Haq Laleka, Prince Bahawal Khan Abbasi, Sabeen Gul, Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtyar, Mian Shafi Muhammad, Syed Muhammad Asghar Shah, Mian Tariq Abdullah, Muhammad Akhtar Malik, Muhammad Afzal, Ehsanul Haq, Javed Akhtar Ansari, Saleem Akhtar Labar, Muhammad Zaheeruddin Khan Alizai, Farooq Azam Malik, Salman Khan Gadoka, Akram Kanu, Mohiyuddin Solangi, Makhdoom Afkarul Hassan, and Raja Muhammad Saleem. On 3 August 2023, thirteen members of PTI were expelled due to violations of the party policy. These included Raja Riaz, Noor Alam Khan, Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, Nuzhat Pathan, Wajiha Qamar, Sardar Riaz Mehmood Khan Mazari, Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon, Nawab Sher, Makhdoom Zada Syed Basit Ahmad Sultan, Afzal Khan Dhandla, Muhammad Abdul Ghafar Wattoo, Aamir Talal Gopang, and Ahmad Hussain Deharr. On 8 August 2023, Dewan Sachanand was expelled from the PTI for violating party discipline when he voted for Rana Ansar, a member of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement – Pakistan (MQM-P), to become the Leader of the Opposition in the Provincial Assembly.
In December 2024, Salman Ahmad, a long-term member of the party, was expelled for describing Bushra Bibi as "corrupt and greedy".
In February 2025, Imran Khan ordered the expulsion of lawmaker Sher Afzal Marwat for repeated breaches of party discipline. At a PTI rally in Swabi, Marwat made controversial remarks, which prompted multiple internal complaints and led to the revocation of his basic membership. Previously, he was issued a show-cause notice for his comments against Salman Akram Raja.
Less than a year after its establishment, PTI participated in the 1997 general elections. Imran Khan stood in seven constituencies across Pakistan but did not secure a majority in any.
During the 2002 general elections, party chairman Imran Khan won one seat from Mianwali. PTI garnered 0.8% of the popular vote.
PTI openly boycotted the Pakistani general election on 18 February 2008 because it believed that the election was fraudulent and fraught with irregularities.
On 21 April 2013, Khan, the chairman of PTI, launched his campaign for the 2013 elections from Lahore, where he addressed supporters at The Mall, Lahore followed by prayers at the Data Durbar Complex. This was followed by large rallies in Karak and Dera Ismail Khan. He also announced that he would pull Pakistan out of the US-led war on terror and bring peace in the Pashtun tribal belt. On 22 April 2013, Khan addressed different public meetings in Malakand, Lower Dir District and Upper Dir District, where he announced that PTI would introduce a uniform education system in which the children of rich and poor would have equal opportunities.
On the same day, he spoke at a rally in Rawalpindi's Constituency NA-56, accompanied by Shaikh Rasheed Ahmad. On 23 April 2013, Khan addressed large rallies in Renala Khurd, Okara, and other parts of Sahiwal Division. He challenged PML-N President Nawaz Sharif to a live debate, a challenge which PML-N was quick to decline. On 24 April, Khan addressed rallies in Nankana Sahib District, Sheikhupura, and Pattoki, where he announced that once in power, no parliamentarian would receive development funds as they are misused for achieving political gains.
On 25 April 2013, Khan addressed political gatherings in South Punjab, including in Pakpattan, Lodhran, and Vehari. On the following day, Khan continued his mass campaign in South Punjab. He addressed rallies at Jalalpur Pirwala, Muzaffargarh, Mian Channu, Kabirwala, and Khanewal. He promised to end the system of tyranny and announced that once in power, he would enact laws allowing every village or town to elect its own Station House Officer, believing it would prevent corruption and police brutality. He also promised to eliminate the post of Patwari and establish a computerised and professional land record system.
Khan concluded his South Punjab campaign by addressing rallies at Bahawalpur, Khanpur, Sadiqabad, Rahim Yar Khan, and Rajanpur on 27 April. During the campaign, he collectively visited over 25 towns and cities, addressing dozens of rallies and corner meetings. He promised to hold accountable the killers behind the assassination of Benazir Bhutto and stated that the local government system is important for the prosperity of Pakistan. On 28 April, Khan moved to central Punjab where he addressed large rallies in Mandi Bahauddin, Hafizabad, and Sargodha, promising to bring justice and equality to Pakistan.
On 29 April 2013, Khan addressed rallies at Murree, Talagang, Chakwal, Taxila, and Attock. On 30 April, Khan visited his hometown of Mianwali, where he addressed several rallies, criticizing the Bhuttos and Sharifs. He stated, 'You can't lead a revolution from behind bulletproof glass,' and claimed that he had conquered the fear of dying 17 years ago. On 1 and 2 March, Khan addressed gatherings in Sibi, Loralai, Zafarwal, Pasrur, Narowal, Jacobabad, and also led a car rally in Rawalpindi. On 3 May, Khan continued his campaign at Battagram, Mansehra, Torghar District, Abbottabad, and Haripur, followed by rallies at Buner District, Swabi, Charsadda, Mardan, Nowshera, and Peshawar on 4th, promising to abandon the war on terror.
Pakistan's 2013 elections took place on 11 May 2013 across the country. The elections resulted in a clear majority for the Pakistan Muslim League (N), a strong rival of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, although PTI managed to surpass the Pakistan Peoples Party as the main opposition to PML-N's candidates in the Punjab Province. PTI's popularity propelled 20 representatives to the Punjab Assembly. PTI also emerged as the second-largest party in Karachi.
According to unofficial results announced by Pakistani media and the Election Commission of Pakistan, Imran Khan, Chairman of PTI, won three of the four constituencies he contested, securing victories in Constituency NA-1, Constituency NA-56, and Constituency NA-71. PTI won 31 directly elected parliamentary seats, marking a significant increase from the 2002 elections. Nationally, PTI became the third-largest party and the largest in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as well as the second-largest in Punjab. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, PTI defeated all mainstream political parties across the province with mostly new candidates. It secured every seat in Peshawar, Nowshera, and Mardan district. It is anticipated that PTI will lead a coalition government in the province. However, PTI failed to secure a majority in Punjab and made limited gains in Sindh or Baluchistan. PTI obtained 34 out of 99 seats in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly.
Apart from Karachi, Sindh was largely overlooked by PTI during much of its election campaign, and this is reflected in the results. The party failed to field candidates in 19 out of Interior Sindh's 40 constituencies. Where it did field candidates, it struggled to surpass the 5% vote benchmark in 18 constituencies. In most of these constituencies, the number of votes received was in the hundreds. PTI's only significant showing in interior Sindh was in the constituencies of NA-228 Umerkot and NA-230 Tharparkar, where the party's vice president, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, has a considerable following through his spiritual Ghousia Jamaat.
In the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, PTI formed a governing coalition with the Jamaat-e-Islami and Qaumi Watan parties in 2013. On 13 May 2013, Parvez Khattak was appointed as the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Development Advisory Committee includes Asad Umar, Jehangir Khan Tareen, Ali Asghar Khan, Khalid Mehsud, and Rustam Shah Mohmand.
Pakistan's 2018 elections took place on 25 July 2018 nationwide. The elections saw Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) secure a majority of seats in the National Assembly with 116 seats won. Adding 28 women and 5 Minority seats, the total tally reached 149. With PTI securing the largest seat share and vote share, it formed a government at the centre in alliance with Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), Pakistan Muslim League (Q) (PML (Q)), Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), Balochistan National Party (Mengal) (BNP-M), Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), Awami Muslim League (Pakistan) (AML), and Jamhoori Wattan Party (JWP). Additionally, PTI secured government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 78 seats, Punjab with 175 seats, and formed an alliance government in Balochistan. Following the elections, Imran Khan was elected as Prime Minister, receiving 176 votes against Shehbaz Sharif's 96 votes. PTI also succeeded in electing its Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Asad Qaiser and Qasim Suri respectively. On 4 September 2018, Arif Alvi was elected as the 13th President of Pakistan. PTI nominated Usman Buzdar as Chief Minister of Punjab, Mahmood Khan as Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Jam Kamal Khan as Chief Minister of Balochistan. The party also appointed governors: Chaudhry Sarwar as Governor of Punjab, Imran Ismail as Governor of Sindh, and Shah Farman as Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Prime Minister Imran Khan formed his cabinet, with key positions like Minister of Finance entrusted to Asad Umar and Minister of Foreign Affairs to Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
Pakistan's 2024 elections took place on 8 February 2024 across the country. The elections resulted in a coalition government being formed by Shehbaz Sharif and PML-N, though the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf claims that the elections were rigged by the PML-N in coordination with the Pakistan Armed Forces against PTI. Allegations of rigging in the 2024 Pakistani general election were widespread. Firstly, most of PTI's leadership including chairman Imran Khan himself alongside Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Yasmin Rashid, Ejaz Chaudhary, Aliya Hamza Malik, Omar Sarfraz Cheema, Mehmood-ur-Rasheed, Parvez Elahi and other PTI seniors were imprisoned in the run-up to the elections. With most of PTI's leadership arrested, in hiding like Murad Saeed, Mian Aslam Iqbal and Hammad Azhar or leaving and creating their own new parties like Jahangir Tareen, Aleem Khan and Pervez Khattak, PTI was left with little leadership to run in the elections. As a result, Gohar Ali Khan was made PTI chairman, Shibli Faraz was made PTI head in the Senate and Omar Ayub Khan was made candidate for Prime Minister. PTI and observers have claimed it has found evidence of pre-poll rigging. Many PTI leaders were forced to have their relatives run in the elections due to an alleged crackdown, including Parvez Elahi's wife Qaisara Elahi running and Usman Dar's mother Rehana Dar running. Imran Khan was jailed for the duration of the election. Due to an alleged crackdown, PTI was unable to campaign for the elections. PTI filed several candidates but due to the Supreme Court’s PTI intra-party elections case, PTI candidates were forced to run as Independent candidates and lost their electoral cricket bat symbol. Despite having to undergo strict measures, PTI won the largest vote share and second largest seat share. PTI claims it won the elections in Punjab and nationwide and claims several vote numbers throughout Pakistan were changed by the ECP to decrease vote amounts for PTI. The largest PTI claims over a constituency have occurred over NA-130 Lahore-XIV, which PTI claims that jailed PTI senior Yasmin Rashid won against 3-time former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. PTI claims it won a total of 180 National Assembly seats in comparison to the 93 seats it officially won. PTI had also pushed forward claims that Khawaja Asif lost his seat in an overwhelming defeat to Rehana Dar in NA-71 Sialkot-II, as well as that PTI candidate Salman Akram Raja won the seat NA-128 Lahore-XII by a large majority, but the seat was rigged in favor of IPP among other pre-poll and after-poll rigging allegations. In total, PTI was able to form a large majority government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under Ali Amin Gandapur and was able to become the single largest party in the National Assembly, while being the largest opposition party in Punjab.
In the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, PTI has ruled with a majority government three times. PTI ruled from 2013 to 2018 under the Pervez Khattak administration, from 2018 to 2023 under Chief Minister Mahmood Khan and from 2024 to the present under the Gandapur ministry.
In the 2024 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial election, Independent candidates allied with PTI won 86 seats. Subsequently, Ali Amin Gandapur was elected as Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on PTI's behalf. Out of these 86 seats, 58 are officially recognized as PTI members by the Supreme Court of Pakistan and Election Commission of Pakistan, while the remaining seats are officially Independents.
In Pakistan’s most populous province, Punjab, PTI has served as the largest opposition party twice and the ruling majority party once. From 2013 to 2018, PTI served as the largest opposition party with 30 seats and had PTI leader Mehmood-ur-Rasheed as opposition leader. From 2018 to 2022 PTI served as the largest and ruling party in Punjab, with Usman Buzdar as Chief Minister of Punjab. From 2024 to the present PTI is serving as the opposition party in the Punjab Assembly.
In the 2024 Punjab provincial election, Independent candidates allied with PTI won the second-most seats, though the party claims it won the first-most seats without rigging. Out of this, 29 have been recognized as PTI members by the Supreme Court of Pakistan and Election Commission of Pakistan, while the remaining seats are officially recognized as members of the Sunni Ittehad Council. PTI nominated Mian Aslam Iqbal for Opposition Leader but has been replaced by Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar temporarily due to threats of an arrest to Iqbal.
In the southern province of Sindh, PTI has been the largest opposition party once, from 2018 to 2022, with Firdous Shamim Naqvi and Haleem Adil Sheikh as Leader of the Opposition in the Provincial Assembly of Sindh. PTI is currently serving as an opposition party in Sindh since 2024 after PTI-backed members won 10 seats. Out of these, 6 are recognized as PTI and 4 are recognized as members of the Sunni Ittehad Council. PTI has alleged that 38 Sindh Assembly seats, many of which are in Karachi were rigged in the 2024 Sindh provincial election against it, in favor of MQM-P and PPP.
PTI has been found to win most of its seats in Karachi. It also holds a political alliance with the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) against PPP.
Imran Khan was arrested due to the case, and Pakistani court rejected a petition by PTI.
PTI launched its first dharna on 14 August 2014. The party was involved in laying siege and paralyzing the capital of Pakistan, Islamabad, to stop the Government from functioning. PTI was charged with targeting Pakistan Television and parliament, as well as law enforcement. The party founder, Imran Khan, burned his utility bills to encourage participants to join his protest against rising electricity prices.
PTI's former leader and head of the party's election tribunal investigated corruption and fraud, as well as internal election rigging within PTI. His tribunal expelled Secretary-General Jahangir Tareen, PTI's KPK Chief Minister Pervez Khattak, and senior leader Nadir Laghari for manipulating intra-party polls. It also reported fraud in party funds. Later, Wajihuddin was expelled from the party by Imran Khan.
PTI supporters have been reported to have attacked media personnel during their protest demonstrations. Several female journalists have reported harassment by party workers. The harassment of women has also been reported at PTI's gatherings.
During PTI's public protests, Geo News DSNGs had to remove their stickers to escape vandalism by party workers. PTI workers also attacked the Geo News Islamabad office.
PTI's former president, Makhdoom Javed Hashmi, has alleged that Imran Khan was conspiring with the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Nasirul Mulk. to dissolve the government of Nawaz Sharif.
Following the arrest of Imran Khan on 9 May 2023, the supporters and workers of PTI allegedly targeted Pakistan Army's installations. The protesters broke into the regional commander's house in Lahore and burned the building. They also attempted to enter GHQ's gate in Rawalpindi. In Peshawar, the building of Radio Pakistan was set on fire by the protesters, who also shouted slogans against the army and military officials. However, Imran Khan and his party denied their involvement in the violence and accused secret agencies of framing the party for anti-army violence.
Reportedly, thousands of PTI workers have been arrested due to their alleged involvement in violent attacks on government institutions across the country after 9 May.
In response to the attacks, the Pakistan Army called 9 May a dark chapter in the country's history and claimed that PTI "has done what enemies could not do in 75 years." Meanwhile, PTI alleges that the incidents of 9 May were a false flag operation designed by the Pakistani establishment to disintegrate PTI and frame Imran Khan.