More than meets the eye

ISLAMABAD:

A single medical disclosure has altered the political temperature. Before jailed former prime minister Imran Khan revealed that he had lost 15 per cent vision in his right eye, many within PTI had quietly reconciled themselves to a prolonged incarceration.

The legal space appeared constricted, the political climate unforgiving and the prospect of immediate relief distant. Even among the most committed supporters, there was an air of grim endurance, a sense that this would be a long and grinding wait.

Then came the seven-page report detailing the PTI founder’s prison conditions. Clinical in tone yet politically combustible in implication, it shifted the mood almost overnight. The legal and political struggle suddenly entered the realm of health and humanitarian concern.

The partial loss of eyesight struck a chord that extended beyond party lines.

The discourse changed. No longer confined to courtroom technicalities or electoral grievances, the conversation moved into questions of moral responsibility and medical urgency.

Within hours, PTI’s rank and file appeared re-energised. Social media buzzed with concern, with several former cricketers publicly seeking relief for Khan. What once seemed implausible – the possibility of relief — began to look less like wishful thinking.

Khan’s legal team has filed petitions with the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking suspension of his sentences in the Toshakhana II case, citing serious health issues, including partial vision loss in his right eye. The courts have ordered independent medical evaluations.

Inevitably, speculation followed. Was this merely a medical disclosure, or the opening act of a larger political choreography?

Some observers argue that recent developments are too aligned to be accidental. The Supreme Court’s unexpected decision to allow one of Khan’s lawyers to meet him in jail raised eyebrows.

Equally intriguing was the restrained tone adopted by Khan in the report itself, conspicuously avoiding direct blame on the establishment. PTI leaders outside echoed that caution. Even the usually combative Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister urged PTI followers to show restraint, while government ministers offered assurances of full medical assistance.

For seasoned political watchers, the parallels are difficult to ignore. They recall how former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, once convicted and serving a sentence, eventually secured relief on medical grounds.

Is history, in some altered form, poised to repeat itself?

“It is a constant in Pakistani politics, whenever there is a confrontation between the civilian government and the authorities, any prevailing government will need to take a softer approach,” remarked Ahmed Bilal Mehbood, the head of a think tank that closely follows political developments in Pakistan.

“But if you confront, you end up being taken out of action. We have seen this happen repeatedly in the past,” he added, referring to the current predicament of Khan.

Some observers believe that the PTI is already attempting to recalibrate its tone. They point to the absence of statements from Khan’s X handle. The last notably combative post directed at the establishment came on December 21. Some interpret the silence as a move to appease the powers-that-be.

“Even if some things are happening behind the scenes, the course of action should be for Imran Khan to tone down his politics. Only then can any progress be made on these matters,” Bilal said.

“So if you want to return to Pakistani politics, you have to adopt the safest approach rather than confrontation,” he maintained.

PTI supporters, nevertheless, argue that the inactivity on Khan’s X handle is not evidence of any secret understanding but rather the result of restrictions on visitors meeting him.

Bilal, however, maintained that if Khan wishes to return to mainstream politics, he would need to alter his approach.

“When former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was in exile in 2002, he did not upset the authorities, waited patiently, bided his time, and then came back to contest elections,” he said.

Senior journalist Mazhar Abbas, speaking to the Express Tribune, expressed doubts about Khan cutting a secret deal with the authorities.

“I doubt he will be allowed to go abroad. Even if he agrees to leave for medical reasons, people may not accept it because his entire political platform has been built on staying on the ground,” Abbas said.

According to Abbas, Khan has opposed the type of politics followed by Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif and prefers to fight while remaining in the country.

Analysts believe that any move by Khan to strike a deal carries political risk, as his supporters may struggle to accept it.

Abbas agrees with that assessment. “So even if he decides to go for health concerns or other reasons, the public may not accept it.”

He is also sceptical about whether the authorities would allow Khan to leave. “It does not appear likely that permission would be granted. If it were, there would probably need to be a written undertaking that he would not make political statements from abroad, just as was required from Nawaz Sharif in the past when he was released.”