Secret talks underway in Pakistan to release Imran Khan

Rumors are rife that former Pakistani Prime Minister and legendary cricketer Imran Khan may be released from prison for treatment as his health deteriorates. Influential military sources in the country and sources close to Khan’s family have said that behind-the-scenes talks are underway to release him.
The 73-year-old leader has been in solitary confinement in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail for the past three years. His family and supporters have expressed deep concern over his complete lack of contact with relatives and lawyers over the past few months and his deteriorating health after an eye surgery.
In a statement to The Observer, Imran’s two sons, Sulaiman and Qasim, said their father had been isolated from the outside world for a long time and was not being given the opportunity to speak impartially. His international media advisor Syed Zulfi Bukhari also expressed similar concerns and demanded his immediate release for treatment.
Earlier in 2019, a similar deal was made with Nawaz Sharif, the brother of current Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, to travel to London for medical treatment. However, it is believed that Imran Khan’s release may be subject to strict conditions, such as leaving the country, staying away from politics and remaining silent.
Analysts believe that the captain of the 1992 World Cup-winning cricket team will not easily accept these conditions, as he is a very uncompromising person. Human rights lawyer and personal friend of Imran, Clive Stafford Smith, believes that Imran Khan will stick to his policies and the military leadership will not want to risk releasing him easily.
Although he came to power in 2018 under the umbrella of the military, Imran Khan was later ousted in a no-confidence vote in 2022 due to disputes with the army chiefs. Since then, the country’s government and military authorities have been trying their best to remove him from politics and the media.
However, Talal Chowdhury, the current government’s Minister of State for Home Affairs, denied any involvement of the army, saying that Imran’s cases will be resolved only in court and there is no justification for granting him bail for medical reasons.