Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)

Amid the power struggle between the PML-N, PPP, and PTI, the only winner has been the military establishment. 

"One can't rule out anything in Pakistani politics, which are nothing if not unpredictable."

The ruling clears the way for Khan to participate in the next general elections – unless he is convicted in a retrial or any of the many other legal cases against him.

Khan missed the chance to make his support base democratic and republican – and thereby transform himself into a true political force to reckon with.

Since his sentencing Saturday, Khan has renewed his call for mass protests, but has failed to gain traction among his supporters.

The Pakistani military supported and nurtured Imran Khan, but later realized it was a failed experiment. 

There is a powerful surge of public anger against the military's political interference. But Pakistan's civilian politicians are too caught up in their personal feuds to capitalize on the movement.

His supporters’ attacks on army installations set a dangerous precedent and will further erode the military’s support for the former PM and his party.

The last year has been been a microcosm of Pakistan’s seven decades of dysfunction, now culminating in ambiguity over the most fundamental of democratic exercises: holding an election. 

Khan will be able to avoid arrest until at least March 27 amid accusations that he incited supporters to violence in last week’s clashes with police.

The government is unhappy with President Alvi’s announcement and the Supreme Court directive to hold elections for two provincial assemblies in a few months.