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PTI defeats Imran Khan. Photo: Archive
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 taken to a hospital for treatment without informing his family or the party leadership.
Top PTI leaders and their allies held a joint press conference to express concern over the continued denial of access to Imran, a day after reports emerged that the jailed former prime minister had been suffering from an eye infection.
“The last meeting with Imran Khan took place on December 20, after which party functionaries and his family members were not allowed to meet him,” PTI president Advocate Gohar Ali Khan said, adding that a petition had been filed in the court but permission was yet to be granted.
He referred to reports suggesting that Imran was taken to a hospital over the past weekend for a procedure related to an eye condition and then returned to jail. “The family should have accepted the transfer 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 returned to prison,” he continued, calling the situation “distressing for the nation, the party and the family.”
Gohar alleged that the government is attempting to consolidate power through constitutional changes, which is eroding public trust. He demanded that restrictions on meeting Imran be lifted immediately, particularly 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 him access constitutes a grave injustice.
He added that the rulers were losing credibility and would eventually have to answer for it. He held the February 8, 2024 elections responsible for the current political and economic crisis, citing rising unemployment, farmers’ losses, and public hardships.
He announced that a “Black Day” will be celebrated on February 8, with traffic jams and closing strikes, accompanied by torchlight processions at night, and stressed that the protests will be completely peaceful.
PTI General Secretary Salman Akram Raja said denying access to Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi is “completely unacceptable”. He alleged that even Imran’s personal doctor, who has no political affiliations, has been banned from seeing him.
Raja demanded that Imran be allowed to meet his personal doctor and family without delay. He also said that petitions filed before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for the meetings were adjourned after objections were raised, alleging that the petitioners had no right to approach the court.
Separately, senior PTI leaders currently imprisoned in Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat jail said in an open letter that the party founder was suffering from an eye infection causing central retinal vein occlusion, a condition that could lead to 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 lawyer Rana Mudassar, said: “This condition is extremely serious and can lead to permanent damage to the eye.”
They urged the government to stop its “petty behavior” and ensure that Imran Khan is admitted to a hospital of his choice for proper treatment. They also asked the Chief Justice of Pakistan to intervene and ensure that recommended medical procedures are implemented promptly.
