Despite behind-the-scenes efforts to rebuild ties between the PTI and the military establishment, the rift remains wide. KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has been quietly trying to initiate reconciliation, but so far, no real breakthrough has occurred.
Sources say Gandapur attempted to highlight PTI’s patriotic stance during the recent Pakistan-India tensions to gain goodwill with the establishment. However, no promises of political relief or concessions for Imran Khan have been made. The military remains unmoved as PTI’s top leadership and international supporters continue harsh criticism of senior army figures.
In fact, PTI’s founder Imran Khan recently targeted Army Chief General Asim Munir in a strongly worded social media post. Meanwhile, PTI supporters in the U.S. funded massive digital billboards in New York’s Times Square attacking Pakistan’s military and government—ironically, at a time when India is aggressively campaigning against Pakistan on global platforms.
These actions, observers say, are damaging the sincere efforts of intermediaries like U.S.-based Pakistani businessman Tanvir Ahmed, who has made multiple visits to Adiala Jail to meet Khan and urge moderation. In an interview, Tanvir said he warned Imran about the deepening political polarisation and encouraged him to support national unity over division.
Tanvir claims Imran seemed unaware of how far things had escalated and agreed on the need for reconciliation. Yet, disturbing developments followed—inside PTI, Tanvir was portrayed as a traitor. Khan was reportedly misled into believing Tanvir had spoken against him on TV, discrediting one of the few backchannel mediators trying to de-escalate tensions.