ISLAMABAD – The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has sent a strong reconciliation signal as former prime minister Imran Khan’s close aide ruled out confrontation with the establishment or Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir.
In an interview with a foreign media outlet, Adviser to Imran Khan on International Affairs Zulfikar Bukhari, alias Zulfi Bukhari, said that the jailed PTI chief wouldn’t confront the military or Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Munir if set free.
These direct remarks from the close aide of Khan that they are willing to reconcile with the establishment appeared to be a major change in rhetoric and policy by the PTI about the establishment.
The development comes after the Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the government to shift Khan to Islamabad’s Shifa International Hospital for treatment. The order is considered as the first major relief for the party since May 9, 2023, violence that had erupted as PTI supporters protested the arrest of Khan by the anti-corruption watchdog National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
With the apex court order, there are widespread rumours that the powers-that-be have decided to lower tensions with the party amidst an ongoing debate that the present ruling coalition has failed to deliver.
Since its ouster from power in April 2022 through a parliamentary vote of no confidence, PTI founder Khan had been using an anti-military rhetoric that helped him to get more public support. However, his public position against the state institution increased his troubles leading to solitary confinement and a ban on his meeting with family members and party colleagues since December last year.
This is uncertain whether the latest signal of reconciliation from Bukhari is his personal reflection or he said this after taking direction from the top party leadership. However, it is crystal clear that Bukhari, who is living in self-exile in London, doesn’t represent the whole party. There are several leaders within the PTI who believe that the establishment is behind the woes of the party with the top leadership still serving different jail terms.
As the party leadership has not met with the jailed politician for the last nine months, it would be a guesswork for anybody what is in the mind of ex-premier Khan as to how to react if he is freed. At the same time, Khan’s opponents fear that he would victimize them if he were to regain power.
