ISLAMABAD: A group of Pakistani doctors and businessmen based in the United States have once again arrived in Pakistan as part of renewed efforts to secure the release of PTI founder Imran Khan.
The delegation had previously visited Islamabad a few months ago, where they met a senior government official and were granted access to Khan in prison. This time, the group is currently in Lahore, but media reports say they have not yet succeeded in meeting Khan during their current visit. It also remains unconfirmed whether they have held any substantive discussions with senior officials.
The coming week is considered critical for the delegation’s contacts and meetings, which are believed to be part of broader efforts by PTI supporters and overseas Pakistanis to influence the legal and political developments surrounding the former prime minister.
Despite informal channels of communication in recent months, there has been little to no significant progress in these efforts. According to the reports, the success of such attempts is not only dependent on political negotiations but also on the conduct of PTI’s social media teams and its international chapters, particularly in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Pakistan’s military establishment has repeatedly stated it will not engage directly with political parties, insisting that political matters must be resolved internally. Nevertheless, some PTI leaders continue to pursue backchannel communication with key figures despite the military’s public stance.
One of the major obstacles to any potential reconciliation is PTI’s continued criticism of the military leadership via official social media accounts and affiliated international chapters. Campaigns involving misinformation, online criticism, and international lobbying, especially efforts aimed at influencing Washington and London, have reportedly further strained relations.
Privately, some members of PTI’s second-tier leadership acknowledge that these aggressive tactics have harmed the party’s efforts, particularly those aimed at securing legal relief forKhan. There is a growing realization within the party that in order to pave the way for meaningful negotiations and reduce tensions, it will need to adopt a more restrained digital strategy.
Analysts suggest that any improvement in PTI’s political standing and any potential relief for Khan hinges on the party adopting a constructive approach, refraining from undermining economic recovery, and toning down its criticism of state institutions.
With overseas Pakistanis once again reaching out to Pakistani authorities, political observers are watching closely to determine whether these efforts mark the beginning of a new phase of reconciliation or whether PTI will miss yet another opportunity to reset its course.
