If Imran Khan is now looking to take a step back from his conflict with the military, it is a positive development and should be encouraged.
In recent weeks, Imran Khan has been avoiding direct attacks and criticism of the army chief and the military. His and his party leaders’ current narrative is shifting the blame for the tensions between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the military onto the PML-N and PPP.
Whether this narrative is true or not is a separate issue, but it seems Imran Khan now wants to end the conflict with the military, as it has not benefited him. Despite his popularity, he has remained out of power and faced continuous difficulties due to this conflict.
It is difficult to predict if Imran Khan will suddenly change direction and resume his attacks on the military. Nonetheless, this conflict between PTI and the establishment should end. Any acrimony between a political party and the military must be resolved because such tensions create a rift between the military and the public, which a country like Pakistan cannot afford.
PTI, being Pakistan’s largest political party, should avoid conflicts with the military as it serves no national interest. The real question is how this conflict can be resolved and whether ending it should involve the establishment releasing Imran Khan from jail and reinstating him in power.
Should there be negotiations between Imran Khan and the military as he suggests, and if these negotiations do not occur, will the conflict between PTI and the military continue? Imran Khan needs to understand that the bitterness accumulated over the past two years cannot be erased by a single statement.
Imran Khan and PTI must move away from their anti-military stance. To this end, Imran Khan should prevent all party leaders, especially on social media, from engaging in anti-military propaganda and should issue a statement himself.
If this is done and if Imran Khan, his party leaders, and their social media channels adhere to this policy, it is likely to reduce the military’s hard stance against PTI in press conferences and core commander meetings.
If anti-military propaganda continues from PTI’s verified social media accounts, then PTI will be associated with disruptive elements and digital terrorism.
If Imran Khan halts his attacks, a response from the other side is also expected to cease. However, this ceasefire should not lead to any new manipulations by the establishment. The goal is simply to end the conflict between the military and Pakistan’s largest political party.
Legal cases against Imran Khan and PTI should be decided on their merits, and any false cases should be dismissed. Negotiations should be held between political parties. Complaints related to elections should also be resolved through the courts.
Political issues should be resolved between politicians, and if Imran Khan desires new elections, he should negotiate with other political parties. On one hand, politicians should stop looking to the military for solutions to political issues, and on the other hand, the military and establishment should decide to remain apolitical. This is in Pakistan’s best interest.