ISLAMABAD: Amid ongoing legal and political uncertainty, a group of US-based Pakistani doctors and businessmen has arrived in Pakistan and is seeking a meeting with PTI founder Imran Khan at Adiala Jail this week. Sources said Khan is aware of the delegation’s presence and appears open to meeting them.
The delegation’s visit is seen as a continuation of behind-the-scenes efforts to initiate quiet diplomacy aimed at securing relief for the imprisoned leader. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur is believed to have been in contact with the group before their arrival, although they have not yet met with any key officials in Islamabad.
This is not the first time the group has engaged in such efforts; during a previous visit, they met with Khan and senior government officials in Islamabad. Their return has renewed speculation over whether any diplomatic inroads can be made for Khan’s legal or political reprieve.
However, progress remains limited due to what insiders describe as inconsistent policy within PTI. Analysts believe that without a significant change in the party’s public posture—particularly its critical tone towards the military establishment—such efforts may remain ineffective.
PTI’s confrontational rhetoric, social media campaigns, and lobbying in Western capitals have reportedly deepened strains with the establishment. The military has repeatedly stated that it will not directly engage with political parties, calling instead for political matters to be resolved internally among civilian forces.
Within PTI, some second-tier leaders have started acknowledging that the party’s aggressive stance has blocked opportunities for reconciliation. Despite internal discussions about adopting a more measured tone, the leadership has continued to signal plans for renewed political agitation.
So far, repeated calls for street mobilisation have not yielded any substantial gains for the party. In the absence of a shift in strategy, observers suggest that diplomatic backchannels like the current delegation may face similar limitations.
