Bleak legal, political prospects: Imran ready to meet US-based doctors

ISLAMABAD: As Imran Khan’s legal and political fortunes remain uncertain, a group of US-based Pakistani doctors and businessmen is seeking a meeting with him at Adiala jail anytime this week, informed sources have revealed.

According to sources, Imran Khan is aware of the delegation’s presence in the country and, the group believes, is ready to meet them.

The specifics of the expected meeting remain unclear, but the visit is part of renewed efforts to re-engage through quiet diplomacy for a possible relief for Khan. PTI’s Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gandapur, has reportedly been in contact with the group even before their arrival in Pakistan.

The delegation, which landed in the country last week, has yet to meet with any key officials in Islamabad. This visit marks a continuation of previous behind-the-scenes engagement by the same group, who earlier met with senior government figures and Imran Khan during a trip to Islamabad a few months ago.

Their return has raised speculation about potential efforts to explore a way forward for the embattled PTI leader, whose prospects for political and legal relief remain uncertain.

Progress has remained elusive as yet because of non-consistency in the PTI’s policy. It is believed that beyond private meetings, any breakthrough would require a significant shift in PTI’s public messaging, especially the aggressive tone adopted by its leader, social media teams and international chapters in the US and UK against the army and its top command.

Persistent criticism of the military establishment, online campaigns and lobbying efforts abroad have reportedly worsened tensions. The military has reiterated that it will not engage directly with political parties, calling instead for political forces to resolve matters among themselves.

Interestingly, within the PTI’s own ranks, some second-tier leaders now concede that the party’s confrontational stance has hampered chances for constructive engagement, there is no stop even at the level of jailed party leader.

Within the party there are calls for a more measured approach to secure some form of reprieve for Khan but the PTI has been told to prepare for a new phase of political agitation, which has been repeated again and again but did not work.