Imran Khan's hospital transfer part of secret deal? Pak journalist's big theory

"Anything can happen in Pakistan. The writing is on the wall," senior Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir said, on why the Supreme Court's order to shift jailed Imran Khan to a private hospital after three years has sparked unease within the Shehbaz Sharif-led government. In an exclusive interview with India Today, Mir stressed that Pakistan's turbulent history has shown how such court reliefs have brought back politicians from the dead.

Shehbaz need look no further than his brother Nawaz Sharif's case, Mir said. In 2018, when Imran Khan was prime minister, Nawaz was arrested after being convicted in several corruption cases. A year later, the three-time PM secured interim bail on medical grounds. The Lahore High Court subsequently allowed him to travel abroad for treatment. Nawaz left for London, where he remained until 2023. His self-imposed exile ended after Imran Khan was removed from office and later imprisoned.

"This is nothing new in the political history of Pakistan. History is repeating itself," Mir said, citing the court relief for Imran.

FEAR OF A SECRET DEAL?

Earlier this week, the Pakistan Supreme Court ordered the government to shift Imran from Adiala Jail to a private hospital for medical treatment amid his deteriorating health. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief has been in jail since August 2023 after being convicted in a web of corruption cases. However, the Shehbaz government immediately challenged the order.

Mir underlined that such court orders are often viewed in Pakistan as signs of a secret deal or some behind-the-scenes understanding. This is why it might have rattled the Sharifs, he said.

"Nawaz Sharif himself got relief from courts and from concerned quarters by making quiet and secret deals. So the Sharifs must be thinking that Imran Khan may now be getting relief out of some secret deal," the senior journalist said.

Recently, a PML-N senator, Nasir Bhatt, said a conspiracy was being hatched against the Sharifs, and claimed that Imran would soon be transferred to his home.

Here, I would like to add a key point. It is no secret that the all-powerful Pakistani army wields significant influence over the country's politics. The relief for Imran has stirred speculation about whether it had the army's blessings.

Mir, however, did not respond to it directly. "The army has maintained it doesn't interfere in politics," the journalist said with a wry smile - a gesture that spoke volumes.

WHY ARE THE SHARIFS WORRIED?

The timing of Imran Khan's release has only added to the anxiety of the Sharifs.

Cracks have emerged lately in Pakistan's ruling coalition. Recently, Bilawal Bhutto of PPP, an ally of the PML-N, warned the Sharifs that their "countdown" had begun.

Bhutto has accused the Shehbaz Sharif government of rigging the POK elections and blamed it for the unrest in the region. The PPP has also differed with Shehbaz over a proposal to create new provinces. "Bilawal Bhutto is angry with the government these days," Mir said.

The journalist also cited recent remarks by Pakistan interior minister Mohsin Naqvi, who publicly asserted that the country's "system had collapsed". Naqvi, known to be close to Pakistani army chief Asim Munir, has long harboured ambitions of being the prime minister.

The third reason behind the Sharifs' panic, according to Mir, is the threat of a "cockroach movement" in Pakistan, along the lines of the youth protests seen at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.

"There is a threat of a cockroach movement in Pakistan. Because some people have now started saying that the youngsters in Pakistan are not happy with the system... The young people have no confidence in Parliament, in the judiciary," he said.

Moreover, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Suhail Afridi announcing a march to Islamabad on September 27, Mir feels it could energise the PTI workers and increase pressure on the Sharif government.

CAN IMRAN KHAN MAKE A COMEBACK?

While it is too early to conclude, there has been considerable buzz about whether the brief court relief for Imran could pave the way for his return to active politics.

Mir underlined that there was little doubt about the popularity of the World Cup-winning captain. However, he stressed that the order to shift him to hospital came from the Supreme Court rather than the military.

The journalist, however, underlined that Pakistan's political landscape has repeatedly defied predictions.

"If Nawaz Sharif could come out of jail, be acquitted and return to politics, anything can happen. Imran Khan can come out anytime," Mir said. And that, according to Mir, is precisely why the Sharifs are worried.

Cricketer Imran Khan has made several comebacks; can politician Imran Khan script one too?

- Ends