'Two more years': Journalist predicts timeline for Imran Khan's release

Senior journalist Muneeb Farooq, while speaking on the ARY News program on February 27, revealed key political predictions for Pakistan, including a possible timeline for Imran Khan’s release.

"Till 2027, there will neither be a national government nor general elections in between. And Imran Khan will not be released during this time. These are a few things that are not going to happen," declared Muneeb Farooq.

His statement prompted a response from the show host, Muhammad Malick, who remarked, "You’re speaking as if you’re part of the constitutional bench deciding the final orders on these issues."

Malick’s comment brought a smile to the faces of all participants, while Muneeb Farooq replied: "I am just a small journalist, and what I’m sharing is simply news; these three things will not happen till 2027. I was very hopeful that some political space could be recovered for Imran Khan."

He added, "That did not happen, and the situation has become even more serious. Other senior journalists can correct me if I’m wrong, but PTI and other opposition parties currently have no leverage to negotiate with either the government or powerful sectors."

Muneeb Farooq went on to say that this current system "was stitched together, [and] it has now become strong," adding that "It is actively pushing its opponents back and instilling fear. That is why this system is here to stay for a while."

He also opined that any dialogue between government leaders and PTI members would be futile, as the government lacks the power to make significant concessions to PTI.

"Can they [government] guarantee PTI that elections will be held in two years? No, they can’t. Can they offer them [PTI] some political space for Imran Khan? No, they cannot," Muneeb added.

In early January, Muneeb Farooq quoted a "powerful person" as saying that ongoing negotiations between the government and PTI would yield no results unless Imran Khan admitted to his past political mistakes.

"PTI has only one demand, and that is the release of Imran Khan from jail. Their other demands are not of significant importance […] Khan wants to come out of jail without any restrictions," the journalist said in a video on his YouTube channel.

He further quoted the "powerful person" as saying that PTI’s chances would improve if Khan "took ten steps back" and admitted his past political mistakes.