Pakistan Politics: Is Army Chief Asim Munir Softening Towards Imran Khan After Supreme Court Bail Order?

The political landscape of Pakistan is once again buzzing with speculation. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has been in jail for over a year, has secured a major legal relief. The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday granted him bail in eight cases, all linked to the May 9, 2023 violence in which Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters allegedly attacked military installations.

But the real twist came not from the courtrooms, but from Rawalpindi. Rumors are rife about a possible thaw between Imran Khan and Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir, once considered arch rivals.

The controversy over Munir’s alleged “apology” remark

Just days ago, senior journalist Sohail Waraich claimed that Asim Munir, in a conversation in Brussels, suggested that Imran Khan must seek an apology (without naming him directly) to resolve the political crisis. The statement sparked a storm in Pakistan’s political circles, giving rise to speculation of a behind-the-scenes deal.

However, the Pakistan Army swiftly denied it. Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) chief Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhary clarified that the army chief gave no such interview, dismissing the Brussels story as “fabricated.”

Opposition realigns with Imran Khan

While the army maintains silence, Imran Khan seems to be regaining political momentum. Two influential opposition figures, Fazlur Rehman and Mahmood Khan Achakzai, have extended support to him in the race for Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly.

Both leaders hold significant influence in Pakistani politics, and Fazlur Rehman, often accused of being close to the military establishment, siding with Imran is being read as a signal of shifting winds. Analysts say this support would be “impossible without a green signal from the army.”

Supreme Court pulls up the government

In its order, the Supreme Court also granted bail to 63 PTI workers arrested after the May 9 incidents. The judges observed that more than a year had passed since the violence, and the government had failed to present solid evidence linking Imran to inciting the attacks.

The bench warned government lawyers not to press weak arguments, saying otherwise they would be left with “no way forward.” Interestingly, while Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi reacted strongly against the ruling, the army has maintained complete silence—a silence that many interpret as calculated.

What happened on May 9, 2023?

The date remains a scar on civil-military relations in Pakistan. Following Imran Khan’s arrest, PTI supporters allegedly stormed the Army General Headquarters in Rawalpindi and vandalized around 40 military installations. The army termed it an “unprecedented attack on its credibility.” Eight people lost their lives during the unrest.

What does this mean for Imran Khan?

The dual developments—the Supreme Court’s relief and the quiet but noticeable political repositioning—have sparked questions:

• Is the Pakistan Army now willing to reconcile with Imran Khan?

• Was the Supreme Court’s decision influenced by a broader understanding with the establishment?

• Could this be the beginning of Imran Khan’s political revival ahead of fresh elections?

For now, the signals are mixed. While the legal relief has given Khan breathing space, the real test lies in whether General Asim Munir genuinely seeks rapprochement—or whether this is just another tactical pause in Pakistan’s ever-shifting power game.