Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan may avoid confrontation with the Army after leaving prison. A close associate has now indicated this possible shift. He also suggested that Army chief Asim Munir could extend a conciliatory gesture after a legal victory.
The remarks came after Pakistan’s Supreme Court ordered Imran Khan’s transfer to hospital for medical treatment. According to the reference, these comments signal a major change within Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The party’s supporters have protested against Munir for years.
Asim Munir has faced criticism from Imran Khan’s supporters since the former premier’s imprisonment. The reference identifies Munir as the person linked to Khan’s 2023 imprisonment. That episode followed a confrontation between Khan and military leadership.
Imran Khan, a former cricket star, had also described Munir as mentally unstable. However, PTI’s latest remarks indicate a potentially different approach towards the military leadership.
Zulfiqar Bukhari explains Imran Khan’s possible approach
PTI spokesperson Zulfiqar Bukhari discussed the issue during an interview on Wednesday. He indicated that the party could consider reconciliation with Pakistan’s military leadership. Such a move could ease one of Pakistan’s most tense political confrontations.
However, uncertainty remains over whether Imran Khan personally supports this approach. Bukhari described Khan as a liberal leader who would avoid actions that harm Pakistan.
He said Khan would not create trouble for the country after release. Instead, Bukhari stressed controlling personal pain for national welfare. He also said this approach would not mean confronting government or military leaders.
Meanwhile, neither the Shehbaz government nor Pakistan’s military immediately responded. The Army has previously denied political interference. The government has maintained that Khan’s cases concern the courts.
