Imran Khan, founder of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf. Photo: Reuters/file
ISLAMABAD:
A single medical revelation has changed the political temperature. Before imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan revealed that he had lost 15 percent of the vision in his right eye, many PTI members had quietly come to terms with prolonged incarceration.
The legal space seemed restricted, the political climate unforgiving and the prospect of immediate aid distant. Even among the most committed supporters, there was an air of grim endurance, a sense that this wait would be long and exhausting.
Next came the seven-page report detailing the PTI founder’s conditions of detention. Clinical in tone but politically combustible in implication, he changed the mood almost overnight. The legal and political struggle has suddenly entered the realm of health and humanitarian concerns.
The partial loss of sight struck a chord that stretched across party lines.
The discourse has changed. No longer limited to the technicalities of the courts or election grievances, the conversation turned to questions of moral responsibility and medical emergencies.
Within hours, the PTI base seemed revitalized. Social media sparked concern, with several former cricketers publicly seeking help for Khan. What once seemed implausible – the possibility of relief – began to seem less like wishful thinking.
Khan’s legal team filed petitions in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking suspension of his sentences in the Toshakhana II case, citing serious health problems, including partial loss of vision in his right eye. The courts ordered independent medical evaluations.
Inevitably, speculation followed. Was it simply a medical revelation or the first act of a larger political choreography?
Some observers argue that recent developments are too consistent to be accidental. The Supreme Court’s unexpected decision to allow one of Khan’s lawyers to meet him in prison raised eyebrows.
Equally intriguing was the restrained tone adopted by Khan in the report itself, conspicuously avoiding directly blaming the establishment. PTI leaders outside echoed this warning. Even the usually combative Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister urged PTI supporters to exercise restraint, while government ministers assured full medical assistance.
For seasoned political observers, the parallels are hard to ignore. They recall how former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, once convicted and serving his sentence, was eventually granted medical relief.
Is history, in an altered form, about to repeat itself?
“It’s a constant in Pakistani politics: whenever there is a confrontation between the civilian government and the authorities, any government in power will have to take a softer approach,” noted Ahmed Bilal Mehbood, director of a think tank that closely follows political developments in Pakistan.
“But if you confront, you end up being knocked out of action. We’ve seen this happen many times in the past,” he added, referring to Khan’s current predicament.
Some observers believe that the PTI is already trying to recalibrate its tone. They highlight the absence of statements from Khan’s pseudonym X. The last particularly combative message directed against the establishment took place on December 21. Some interpret the silence as an approach aimed at appeasing the powers that be.
“Even though some things are happening behind the scenes, the course of action should be for Imran Khan to tone down his policies. Only then can progress be made on these issues,” Bilal said.
“So if you want to return to Pakistani politics, you have to take the safest approach rather than confrontation,” he argued.
PTI supporters, however, argue that the inactivity on Khan’s X account is not evidence of a secret deal but rather the result of restrictions placed on visitors meeting him.
Bilal, however, argued that if Khan wanted to return to mainstream politics, he would need to change his approach.
“When former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was in exile in 2002, he did not antagonize the authorities, waited patiently, bided his time, and then came back to contest the elections,” he said.
Senior journalist Mazhar Abbas, speaking to the Express PK Press Club, expressed doubts whether Khan had entered into a secret deal with the authorities.
“I doubt he will be allowed to go abroad. Even if he agrees to go abroad for medical reasons, people might not accept him because his whole political platform is based on staying on the ground,” Abbas said.
According to Abbas, Khan opposes the type of politics followed by Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif and prefers to fight while remaining in the country.
Analysts say any move by Khan to strike a deal carries political risk, as his supporters may find it difficult to accept.
Abbas agrees with this assessment. “So even if he decides to go for health reasons or other reasons, the public might not accept him.”
He is also skeptical about whether authorities would allow Khan to leave. “It seems unlikely that permission would be granted. If it were, it would probably require a written undertaking that he would not make political statements from abroad, just as had been required of Nawaz Sharif in the past upon his release.”
