Pakistan’s Ex-PM Imran Khan Would Not Confront Army Chief If Freed: Reports

Jailed former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan would not confront the military or army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir if released, one of his closest aides told Reuters, signalling a possible shift towards reconciliation between Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the military establishment.

"If Imran Khan was released tomorrow, hypothetically, he wouldn't do anything that would effectively damage the country," PTI spokesperson Zulfikar Bukhari told Reuters. "That doesn't mean you go loggerheads with the establishment, with the military leader. You control your own hurt. You curb your own pain. You swallow it for the betterment of your country."

Bukhari's comments came after Pakistan's Supreme Court ordered Khan's transfer from prison to a private hospital for treatment, a decision Reuters said analysts viewed as a possible first step towards easing tensions between Khan's party and the military.

Possible Rapprochement

Bukhari described Munir as Pakistan's most powerful man and said the army chief could extend a "healing hand" to the country.

He also said there were currently no talks between PTI and the military. The government and military did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment on his remarks.

The comments represent a notable change in tone from Khan and his supporters, who have repeatedly accused the military of orchestrating his political downfall and imprisonment. Reuters noted that Khan himself has previously described Munir in highly critical terms.

Khan's Health

The comments followed a Supreme Court order on Tuesday directing that Khan be moved from Adiala Jail to a private hospital within 48 hours after medical reports cited severe anxiety and other health concerns.

Khan has been subsequently shifted to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad on Monday, following the court order. His media spokesperson said the transfer was carried out for treatment.

Bukhari called the Supreme Court ruling a "new ray of hope". He also said PTI would comply with the court's instruction that party workers and leaders should not gather outside the hospital.

PTI Plans Protest

Despite the softer rhetoric towards the military, Bukhari said PTI would proceed with a nationwide march on September 27.

He said the protest would demand implementation of the court-ordered treatment, access for Khan's family, doctors, lawyers and party leadership, hearings in his cases and, ultimately, his release. Senior PTI leaders who have gone into hiding would participate or help mobilise supporters, he added.

The comments therefore point to a possible change in the tone of Khan's political movement, but Reuters noted that it remains unclear whether Khan himself shares the same approach or whether PTI's leadership can present a unified position while he remains in custody.