Sources close to the Pakistani establishment said Khan is out of jail after a “proper deal” and could be rehabilitated soon.
Pakistan’s jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan has been moved from jail to a hospital following an order by the country’s Supreme Court on medical grounds, fuelling speculation over a possible backchannel understanding with the country’s establishment and a gradual path towards his political rehabilitation.
Sources close to the Pakistani establishment told CNN-News18 on Thursday that Khan is effectively out of jail following a “proper deal” and could be rehabilitated soon.
His move from jail to a hospital is being seen as almost the same as being out of jail, the sources said, suggesting that the development could be part of a wider process aimed at bringing Khan back into the political system.
“This is a full process and rehabilitation will take place and he will reenforce the existing system,” the source said.
According to the sources, the Army and the establishment have realised that Khan remains a “major political force”. They believe there would be no harm in allowing him to come out and endorse the present system of governance.
Shehbaz Sharif’s party along with Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), would continue to be part of the political system, the source added.
‘Khan Must Soften Anti-Munir Stand’
Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir’s strategy, the sources said, is for everyone to work “together internally” as Pakistan focuses on its international role.
Sources close to Khan, meanwhile, said he will not leave Pakistan, adding that if he wanted to go abroad, he would have done so long ago.
“However, any meaningful relief beyond hospital treatment would require Khan and the PTI to drop their most aggressive statements against Munir,” it added.