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PTI detractor Imran Khan. Photo: File
ISLAMABAD:
Senior opposition leaders on Wednesday expressed serious concern over the health of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, particularly reports that he was transferred to a hospital for treatment without informing his family or the party leadership.
Top leaders of the PTI and its allies held a joint press conference to raise concerns over the continued denial of access to Imran, a day after reports emerged that the jailed former prime minister was suffering from an eye infection.
“The last meeting with Imran Khan took place on December 20, after which party officials and family members have not been allowed to meet him,” said PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, adding that a petition had been filed in the court but the permission was still not granted.
He referred to reports indicating that Imran was transferred to a hospital over the past weekend for a procedure related to an eye condition and later returned to prison. “The family should have been taken on board for moving him for medical treatment,” Gohar said.
“To this day, we have not been informed about the illness for which he was taken to the hospital, which doctor examined him, or why he was brought back to prison,” he continued, calling the situation “insulting to the nation, the party and the family.”
Gohar argued that the government is trying to consolidate power by making constitutional changes, which is eroding public trust. He demanded that restrictions on meeting Imran be lifted immediately, especially before February 8.
Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas also expressed concern over Imran’s health, saying the PTI founder is a popular leader in Pakistan and denying access to him amounts to grave injustice.
He added that those in power were losing credibility and would ultimately have to be held accountable for it. He held the February 8, 2024 election responsible for the current political and economic crisis, citing rising unemployment, farmers’ losses and public hardships.
He announced that the coming February 8 will be celebrated as a ‘black day’ with wheel stoppages and shutdown attacks, accompanied by torch-carrying processions in the evening, stressing that the protests will be completely peaceful.
PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said the denial of entry to Imran Khan and his spouse, Bushra Bibi, is “totally unacceptable.” He claimed that even Imran’s personal doctor, who has no political affiliation, has been barred from seeing him.
Raja demanded that Imran be allowed to meet his personal doctor and family without delay. He also said that petitions filed in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for the sessions have been postponed after objections were raised, claiming that the petitioners had no right to approach the court.
Separately, senior PTI leaders currently incarcerated in Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat jail said in an open letter that the party founder was suffering from an eye infection resulting in central retinal vein occlusion – a condition that can cause permanent vision loss if not treated properly.
The letter shared by Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Ejaz Chaudhry, Omar Safaraz Cheema and Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed, through their adviser Rana Mudassar, said: “This condition is extremely serious and can cause permanent damage to the eye.”
They urged the government to stop its “petty behaviour” and ensure that Imran Khan is admitted to a hospital of his choice for proper treatment. They also urged the Chief Justice of Pakistan to intervene and ensure that recommended medical procedures are administered promptly.
