PTI signals reconciliation with military

ISLAMABAD – The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has sent a solid reconciliation signal as former prime minister Imran Khan's close aide ruled out confrontation with the establishment or Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir.

Key points

• The development comes after the Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the administration to shift Khan to Islamabad's Shifa International Hospital for treatment.
• Power sharing accord falls apart as Siddique 'manoeuvres' to retain Lahore Gymkhana chairmanship.
• This is uncertain whether the latest signal of reconciliation from Bukhari is his personal reflection or he remarked this after taking direction from the top party leadership.
• Khan's opponents fear that he would victimize them if he were to regain power.

In an interview with a foreign media outlet, Adviser to Imran Khan on International Affairs Zulfikar Bukhari, alias Zulfi Bukhari, remarked 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 regarding the establishment.

Notably, the development comes after the Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the administration 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. Pakistan, Syria pledge stronger ties in Islamabad discussions.

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 supported him to secure more public backing. Nevertheless, his public position against the state institution climbed his troubles leading to solitary confinement and a ban on his session 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 remarked this after taking direction from the top party leadership. Nevertheless, it is crystal clear that Bukhari. This person is living in self-exile in London, doesn't represent the whole party. There are a number of 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. President Zardari felicitates Mirza Fakhrul Islam on election as Bangladesh President.

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. Meanwhile, Khan's opponents fear that he would victimize them if he were to regain power.

Taken together, the developments around PTI signals reconciliation with military point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.