Shahid Khaqan, Miftah Ismail to participate in sit-in on Imran Khan’s health outside Parliament

ISLAMABAD:

Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ain Pakistan (TTAP) has said the leadership of Awaam Pakistan will participate in a sit-in outside the Parliament building on Friday, demanding access to jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and assurances of his medical treatment following reports of severe vision loss.

In a statement released on X Friday, it said party leaders Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Miftah Ismail attended a TTAP meeting late Thursday where they decided to join the peaceful protest.

“Denying any prisoner timely and appropriate medical treatment is immoral, inhuman and illegal,” read the TTAP statement, noting that Imran is both a former prime minister and leader of the country’s largest political party.

Security was significantly tightened in and around the parliament building ahead of the protest. Police deployed a heavy contingent at the gates, with the main entrance reportedly closed to prevent unauthorized entry, while armored vehicles were stationed nearby.

Islamabad’s red zone was reportedly cordoned off, with Constitution Avenue blocked at Radio Pakistan Chowk. Police stopped MNAs Iqbal Afridi and Umair Niazi from entering the area and no citizens or legislators were allowed to enter the Parliament House.

The protest follows submissions made to the Supreme Court of Pakistan where lawyer Salman Safdar informed the court – citing a report commissioned by the bench – that only 15% vision was left in Imran Khan’s right eye.

The lawyer quoted the former prime minister as saying the loss followed medical complications in custody, sparking sharp criticism from opposition parties who accused the government of allowing his health to deteriorate.

Achakzai said the protest would remain peaceful. Speaking to reporters, he said Imran should be allowed to meet his personal doctor and family. “First I was told that his health is improving,” he said, adding: “There are good doctors in the country; we want him to receive proper treatment.” He added that the issue should be resolved without complications.

In a separate media interaction, the JUI-F chief also called for full medical facilities to be made available to the PTI founder in jail. “On humanitarian grounds, he should be allowed to be examined by his doctor of choice,” he said. “Politics should not turn into enmity; collective survival requires cooperation.”

On Thursday, Achakzai announced the protest, stating: “A peaceful protest sit-in will begin outside Parliament House tomorrow. We will present our demands during the sit-in and it will continue until our demands are met. If anything goes wrong in accepting these demands, the government will be responsible.”

Imran Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023 and is currently serving a sentence in Adiala prison in a £190m corruption case. In addition, he faces pending legal proceedings under the Anti-Terrorism Act related to the protests on 9 May 2023. The party has in recent days expressed concern over Imran’s health and demanded treatment by his own team of doctors.