Memo makes participation compulsory from 23 Feb; party seeks family access, personal doctors
PTI founder Imran Khan gestures while addressing supporters during a rally in Lahore April 21, 2022. Photo: REUTERS
PESHAWAR:
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has instructed all its lawmakers to ensure mandatory attendance as the party prepares to hold daily protests outside the Supreme Court of Pakistan from February 23, as part of a campaign seeking a full medical check-up of its jailed founder Imran Khan.
According to an official party memo published on Tuesday, attendance outside the Supreme Court would be “mandatory … until further instructions”.
In a document titled “Office Note” dated February 22 and issued from the party’s central secretariat, the PTI said, “As part of the campaign to get the full medical check-up of our illegally imprisoned founding chairman, it was decided by the party that the following will be present every day until our demands are met outside the office of the Chief Justice of Pakistan of the Supreme Court of Pakistan till 9000 hours in the Supreme Court of Pakistan.” February 23.”
The statement said compulsory attendance is applicable for all senators, all members of the National Assembly, all members of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Assembly and members of the Punjab Assembly from February 24.
The memo further states that those unable to attend “must inform the Additional Secretary General in writing before the end of the day, in writing clearly stating the reason why they should be excused.”
Imran has been jailed since August 2023 and is currently serving a sentence in Adiala prison in a £190m corruption case. He also faces pending charges under the Anti-Terrorism Act in connection with the May 9, 2023 protests.
Read: Imran taken to PIMS for treatment
The party has intensified calls for his release after a medical report filed in court said the vision in his right eye had dropped to 15%. The government maintains that he receives the best care.
On Monday, the PTI staged a protest outside the Supreme Court demanding that all cases against Imran be fixed for immediate hearing.
Protesters urged the authorities to allow Imran’s family members to meet him and called for a comprehensive medical examination by his personal doctors. PTI said the former prime minister’s legal issues should be heard without further delay and his medical concerns should be addressed transparently.
The protest was attended by several senior party leaders and elected officials, including Salman Akram Raja and Aamir Dogar.
