Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Imran Khan Aide Signals Possible Reconciliation With Pakistan Military
Imran Khan is a former prime minister of Pakistan who is in prison.
His aide, Zulfikar Bukhari, said Khan would not fight with the army chief if he were freed.
This sounded more peaceful than some of Khan’s earlier statements.
Bukhari said there are no direct talks between Khan’s party and the military.
Pakistan’s Supreme Court ordered that Khan be moved to a private hospital for treatment.
The government asked the court to reconsider the order, but the request was returned because some papers were missing.
Khan had not been moved by Thursday afternoon, and PTI threatened legal action.
PTI also plans a nationwide march on September 27 to demand Khan’s treatment and release.
Zulfikar Bukhari said Imran Khan would avoid confronting the military or army chief Asim Munir if released.
Pakistan’s Supreme Court ordered Khan’s transfer from prison to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad for treatment.
The court returned the government’s review petition over incomplete paperwork, while Khan remained in prison.
PTI threatened contempt proceedings if the hospital-transfer order was not implemented by Thursday at 11:59 p.m.
PTI said it would hold a nationwide march on September 27 demanding Khan’s treatment, access, faster hearings, and release.
- Who
- Imran Khan, aide Zulfikar Bukhari, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, the Pakistani government, the military, and the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
- What
- Khan’s aide signalled possible reconciliation with the military while a Supreme Court order requiring Khan’s hospital transfer remained unimplemented.
- When
- The hospital order was issued on Tuesday; the review petition was returned on Thursday; the transfer deadline was Thursday at 11:59 p.m.; and PTI’s planned march is on September 27.
- Where
- Pakistan; the ordered treatment is at Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad. Bukhari spoke from self-imposed exile in Dubai.
- Why
- The court ordered the transfer after concerns about Khan’s health and access to medical care. Bukhari said avoiding confrontation would benefit the country.
PTI and Khan’s Supporters
Pakistani Government and Military
Hospital transfer
PTI and Khan’s Supporters
PTI says the Supreme Court’s order is mandatory and has threatened contempt proceedings if Khan is not moved to Shifa International Hospital.
Pakistani Government and Military
The government initially said it would implement the order but later sought a review; the petition was returned because of incomplete paperwork, and Khan had not been transferred.
Relations with the military
PTI and Khan’s Supporters
Bukhari suggested Khan would avoid confrontation with the military if released, while PTI continues to demand Khan’s release and legal access.
Pakistani Government and Military
The military has previously said it does not interfere in politics, while the government says Khan’s legal cases are matters for the courts.
Khan’s position
PTI and Khan’s Supporters
Some PTI leaders are signalling a possible easing of tensions and describing the hospital ruling as a new hope.
Pakistani Government and Military
Analysts caution that Khan may not share his aide’s conciliatory position, citing earlier comments in which he strongly condemned the military leadership.
- Person in prison
- Imran Khan, 73, a former prime minister of Pakistan
- Ordered hospital
- Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad
- Court action
- The Supreme Court ordered Khan’s transfer for treatment and later returned the government’s review petition over incomplete paper books.
- Aide’s position
- Zulfikar Bukhari said Khan would not confront the military or army chief Asim Munir if released.
- Transfer deadline
- Thursday at 11:59 p.m., according to PTI
- Planned protest
- PTI said it would hold a nationwide march on September 27.
- Legal status
- All but one of Khan’s convictions have reportedly been suspended or overturned, with appeals pending; he denies wrongdoing.
