Pakistan: Ex-PM Imran Khan’s Party May Be Willing To Do A Deal With Army?
Senior PTI figures hint at a potential thaw with Pakistan's military establishment as imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan faces a disputed medical transfer.
A surprising shift in tone has emerged from within the high ranks of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, with a close aide indicating that the party may be open to mending fences with the country's powerful military establishment. This potential thaw comes against the backdrop of intense political friction, ongoing legal battles, and mounting health concerns surrounding imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan.
According to remarks attributed to senior party figure Zulfiqar Bukhari, the detained leader would act in the nation's interest if released and described Khan as being magnanimous enough to avoid a permanent state of war with the military and its leadership. Bukhari suggested that a single gesture from the military leadership could empty prisons of political detainees within a day, hinting at a desire to ease tensions that have gripped the country since Khan's removal from office. Bukhari noted that PTI was not holding talks with the military, while describing the army chief as Pakistan's most powerful man.
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Observers remain deeply divided over whether this diplomatic overture reflects the true sentiment of the incarcerated leader himself. Michael Kugelman, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, noted that it remains unclear whether the remaining party leadership possesses the capacity to form a unified front in negotiations while Khan remains behind bars. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and his brother Nawaz of the PML- N which wants to hold onto power would likely view any successful reconciliation or release with considerable political unease.
Parallel to these political calculations, a fierce legal and public relations struggle erupted surrounding Khan’s medical status. The former prime minister was abruptly returned to Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail after spending several hours at a medical facility in Islamabad. The transfer back to prison occurred despite a Supreme Court directive ordering that Khan be moved to a hospital within 48 hours.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar defended the swift return, stating on X that a team of qualified doctors examined the 73-year-old leader and declared him medically fit. Tarar added that the venue was shifted from the court-recommended Shifa International Hospital to the government-run Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences because of security concerns created by PTI workers along the planned route. Parliamentary affairs minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry noted that the government had asked the top court to review or withdraw its private hospital order, though the court declined to hear the request on technical grounds.
Party representatives fiercely contested the government's narrative. PTI spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram condemned the transfer back to prison as an open violation of judicial authority, demanding in a post on X that complete medical reports be brought forward. Meanwhile, Khan's sister, Uzma Khan, stated that her brother appeared stable and fit during the check-up, though she relayed that he repeatedly claimed he was being subjected to torture in prison. Senior members of the party had initially expected Khan to remain hospitalised at least for several weeks after he was allowed to leave prison to have his health checked for the first time since February.
Key Developments in the Imran Khan Legal and Medical Dispute
- Supreme Court Mandate: The highest court instructed authorities to move Khan to a private hospital for specialized evaluation within a designated window.
- Facility Diversion: Officials routed the former premier to a state-run hospital instead of the requested private clinic, citing crowd safety risks.
- Disputed Health Status: While family members and lawyers have repeatedly voiced concern over his diminishing vision and declining health, government medical teams pronounced him fit for detention.
- Contempt Actions: Party leaders announced preparations to file contempt petitions regarding the handling of the Supreme Court's directives.
The swift reversal has reignited public anger and street demonstrations, contrasting sharply with the relative media blackout Khan faced in Pakistani broadcasts over recent years. Supporters previously gathered outside Adiala Jail and lined streets in Islamabad to shower flowers on the vehicle widely believed to be carrying him to the hospital. Live television coverage of the street scenes marked a notable shift from previous years when broadcasters tended not to cite the ousted leader's name.
The former cricket star has been behind bars since August 2023 following his conviction on multiple graft charges, having previously been removed through a vote of no confidence by parliament in April 2022 after falling out with the military. His supporters and family continue to maintain that all charges against him are politically motivated, while the government maintains that prisoners receive medical treatment in jail and can be transferred to state-run hospitals when necessary.
