Imran Khan would avoid conflict with army chief, aide says

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Jailed former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan would not confront the military or Army Chief Asim Munir if released, according to one of his closest aides, signalling a possible shift in the rhetoric of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.

PTI spokesperson Zulfikar Bukhari told Reuters on Wednesday that Khan would avoid actions that could harm the country and would not seek confrontation with the military leadership.

Bukhari said Khan would be willing to set aside personal grievances for the sake of the country, describing him as a “magnanimous” person.

The remarks came after Pakistan’s Supreme Court ordered authorities to move 73-year-old Khan from prison to a private hospital for treatment within 48 hours. Analysts viewed the ruling as a possible first step towards reducing tensions between Khan and the military, although it remains unclear whether Khan himself shares the same approach.

Khan’s supporters have for years opposed Munir, whom they blame for Khan’s imprisonment following his falling-out with the military leadership. Khan has previously criticised Munir in strong terms.

The government and military did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The military has previously denied interfering in politics, while the government has maintained that Khan’s legal cases are matters for the courts.

Bukhari described the Supreme Court ruling as a “new ray of hope” and said PTI would follow the court’s direction not to gather outside the hospital. Khan had not been transferred as of Thursday afternoon, while it remained unclear whether the government would seek another challenge after an earlier attempt was rejected on technical grounds.

Bukhari said there were no talks between PTI and the military but described Munir, who also holds the rank of field marshal, as Pakistan’s most powerful man. He suggested that Munir could help ease tensions and release political prisoners if he chose to do so.

Analysts, however, cautioned that Khan’s views may differ from those of PTI leaders who have avoided arrest. Much of the party’s organisational structure has been dismantled by authorities, while several senior officials remain imprisoned.

Michael Kugelman, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, said it was unclear whether PTI leaders had enough capacity to present a united position in any possible negotiations with the state while Khan remained imprisoned.

PTI plans to continue with a nationwide protest march on September 27 regardless of whether Khan is transferred to hospital, Bukhari said.

The party will demand implementation of Khan’s court-ordered treatment, access for his family, doctors, lawyers and party leaders, speedy hearings in his cases and, ultimately, his release.

Bukhari, who is living in self-imposed exile in Dubai, said senior PTI leaders who have gone into hiding would participate in or help organise the mobilisation.

Khan has faced multiple legal cases since losing power in a parliamentary no-confidence vote in 2022, including cases involving state gifts, violent attacks on military and state installations and an unlawful marriage allegation.

All but one of his convictions have been suspended or overturned, with appeals pending. Khan denies wrongdoing.

PTI leaders last spoke with Khan eight months ago, Bukhari said. Khan has recently made no public comments, while human rights groups have described his imprisonment conditions as solitary confinement.