Shahid Khaqan and Miftah Ismail to join sit-in over Imran Khan’s health outside Parliament

ISLAMABAD:

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

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

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

Security was significantly increased in and around Parliament ahead of the protest. Police deployed a large contingent at the gates, with the main entrance apparently closed to prevent unauthorized entry, while armored vehicles were parked nearby.

Islamabad’s red zone was reportedly cordoned off and Constitution Avenue blocked at Radio Pakistan Chowk. Police prevented MPs Iqbal Afridi and Umair Niazi from entering the area, and no citizens or lawmakers were allowed access to Parliament.

The protest followed submissions filed in the Supreme Court of Pakistan, where lawyer Salman Safdar informed the court – citing a report commissioned by the bench – that only 15% vision remained in Imran Khan’s right eye.

The lawyer quoted the former prime minister as saying the loss followed medical complications in detention, sparking strong 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. “At first I was told his health was improving,” he said, adding: “There are good doctors in the country; we want him to receive proper treatment.” He added that the problem should be resolved without complications.

In another media interaction, the JUI-F chief also called for comprehensive medical facilities to be provided to the PTI founder in jail. “For humanitarian reasons, he should be allowed to be examined by his preferred doctor,” he said. “Politics must not turn into enmity; collective survival requires cooperation. »

On Thursday, Achakzai announced the protest, saying: “A peaceful sit-in protest will begin tomorrow in front of Parliament. We will present our demands during the sit-in, and this 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 £190 million corruption case. Additionally, he faces ongoing trials under the anti-terrorism law related to the May 9, 2023 protests. The party has in recent days expressed concern over Imran’s health and demanded treatment by its own team of doctors.