No Immediate Prospect of Imran Khan’s Release, But What Could Happen? Sohail Warraich Offers New Prediction
ISLAMABAD: Senior journalist and columnist Sohail Warraich has said there is currently no prospect of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s immediate release, although certain concessions could emerge from ongoing negotiations.
In his latest column, Warraich said that based on his years of reporting experience, the current negotiations appeared to have clearly defined limits, with little possibility at present of moving beyond those boundaries.
He said the maximum that could emerge from the talks was the possibility of Imran Khan being allowed hospital visits, Bushra Bibi being shifted from Adiala Jail to Bani Gala, and the release of detained female PTI leaders and Imran Khan’s sisters.
However, Warraich maintained that there was currently no indication of Imran Khan’s immediate release or his formal return to active politics.
The columnist claimed that shifting Bushra Bibi to Bani Gala could actually be part of a new political strategy aimed at creating a division between the groups associated with Aleema Khan and Bushra Bibi.
According to Warraich, Imran Khan listens more to his wife than to his sister, and therefore moving Bushra Bibi to Bani Gala could reduce Aleema Khan’s influence and political strength within the party.
برسوں سے رپورٹنگ کرنے کے باعث قلم گھیسٹیے کو اندازہ ہے کہ مذاکرات کے نتیجے میں عمران خان کی اسپتال آمدورفت شروع ہو سکتی ہے، بشریٰ بی بی کو بنی گالہ منتقل کیا جا سکتا ہے ،بہنوں کو رہا کیا جاسکتا ہے، یہ وُہ حدود ہیں جن سے باہر نکلنے کا امکان نظر نہیں آتا۔ عمران خان کی رہائی یا سیاست میں واپسی کا فی الحال کوئی امکان نہیں بشریٰ عمران کی بنی گالہ منتقلی دراصل ایک نئی اسٹرٹیجی کا حصہ ہوگی جس میں علیمہ خانم اور بشریٰ عمران دونوں گروپوں کو الگ الگ کرنا ہے، بشریٰ عمران کے بنی گالہ منتقل ہونے سے علیمہ خانم کی طاقت کمزور ہوگی کیونکہ عمران خان اپنی بہن کی نسبت اپنی مرشد بیوی کی بات زیادہ مانتے ہیں
https://t.co/9OA1EjZPvc— Suhail Warraich (@suhailswarraich) October 5, 2026
He further claimed that both the government and the establishment were frustrated by what he described as aggressive narratives being promoted by social media platforms and YouTubers.
Warraich said there was an apparent desire to divide PTI into distinct factions, including an overseas PTI and a local PTI.
He observed that the establishment and political leadership had reached a sensitive point where successful negotiations could improve their credibility and standing. However, if the talks completely failed, frustration and political uncertainty in the country could deepen further.
Warraich said no revolution was imminent and that the current developments were unlikely to bring about a change of government.
He added that if tensions were reduced, Parliament became functional, government and opposition leaders resumed engagement, Imran Khan was allowed medical examinations at a hospital, and a softer approach was adopted towards detained women, these developments could be considered a major achievement of negotiations in the prolonged political crisis.
Otherwise, he warned, the situation would remain stuck where it is.
