The military has no plans to negotiate or strike a deal with former Prime Minister Imran Khan, despite his willingness to engage with the army leadership. Imran, currently imprisoned in Adiala jail, conveyed through his legal team that he has had no direct contact with the military since his arrest in August 2023. However, he expressed openness to a potential deal, provided it would be based on principles rather than personal gain or compromises that undermine Pakistan’s democratic values. He emphasized that he would “rather live the rest of my life in prison than compromise on my principles.”
A military source dismissed the possibility of any deal, highlighting that Imran must face the legal cases against him. The source criticized Imran for advocating for the rule of law while allegedly seeking special treatment for himself.
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In response to recent constitutional amendments and concerns about a rigged election, Imran has issued a “final call” for a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest, scheduled to take place in Islamabad on November 24. The PTI has been under intense pressure since Imran’s arrest, with most of the party’s leadership either jailed or in exile.
One of the unresolved issues is whether the government will attempt to try Imran in a military court for various charges, including bribery and terrorism, all of which he denies. Imran questioned the legality of trying civilians, especially a former prime minister, in military courts, describing the notion as “ludicrous” and a sign that no other court would convict him.
Despite the challenges, Imran remains confident that justice will eventually prevail and expressed optimism about his potential return to office, should that align with the will of the people.
