Salman Akram Raja calls government’s refusal to allow meetings a ‘barbaric act’
PTI General Secretary Salman Akram Raja addresses a press conference in Islamabad on Wednesday, accompanied by Vice President Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Ayin-e-Pakistan, Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas and PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar. SCREENSHOT
The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leadership on Wednesday expressed deep concern over reports that party founder Imran Khan was rushed to hospital last week without informing his party or family, terming it an “abuse” and demanding immediate access to him.
Imran has been imprisoned since August 2023 and is currently serving a sentence in Adiala Prison in a £190 million corruption case. Besides, he faces ongoing trials under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) related to the protests on May 9, 2023. The party had a day ago expressed concern over Imran’s health condition, alleging that prison authorities and the government were obstructing treatment of a “serious eye disease” and demanding immediate medical attention.
Concerns over Imran’s health were raised at a press conference addressed by Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas alongside PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and General Secretary Salman Akram Raja.
Abbas said the leaders were troubled by reports circulating about Imran’s health condition. Commenting on the matter, he said reports suggested that Imran was taken to the hospital without the knowledge of his family or party.
“It’s an abuse. They think it will harm his family and the people; it’s their mistake. People hate them (the state) day after day,” he said.
Raja also expressed deep concern over the reports and demanded an immediate meeting with Imran and Bushra Bibi.
“A sick person, with reports of serious concerns about their health – why was they brought to hospital and why are we not being informed? Raja said, citing a local media report that between Saturday and Sunday evening, Imran was taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences.
He said the reports had repeatedly amplified the party’s concerns, adding that he demanded immediate permission to meet Imran. Raja further said that he fully supports the same demand regarding Bushra Bibi, emphasizing that “the solitary confinement in which she has been placed must end immediately.”
Read: PTI expresses concern over condition of Imran’s eyes, demands immediate treatment
He added that Imran’s personal doctors, who had no political affiliation, had repeatedly requested the courts to allow doctors from Shaukat Khanum Hospital, as well as dental and eye care specialists, to examine and meet him, but this opportunity had not yet been granted.
“We are deeply concerned by the reports circulating about Imran Khan’s health condition. Based on this, a request was made that his personal doctors be allowed to meet him immediately and conduct a full medical examination, but we were told that this request was also not deemed admissible,” Raja said.
Terming the government’s refusal to allow the meetings a “barbaric act”, Raja said the party had approached the chief justice of the Islamabad High Court and asked him to use the administrative and legislative authority he had. “We asked him to order the attorney general to ensure that this meeting takes place as soon as possible and that the doctors and the girls are allowed to meet them immediately,” he said.
Raja said Imran and Bushra’s solitary confinement, placement in punishment cells and restrictions on meetings were unacceptable under any circumstances. “We have been informed that Bushra Bibi’s last meeting with her daughters, who are completely apolitical, took place on November 4. This situation is extremely worrying,” he added.
Referring to the protests planned for February 8, Raja said the call for a day of mourning announced by the opposition coalition Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ayin Pakistan was a duty of the entire nation.
“It is not about any particular personality or party. It is an insult to the nation’s vote. God willing, this Day of Mourning will one day become a Day of Democracy. We must all play our part in this struggle,” he said.
Abbas also announced that a “black day” would be observed on February 8.
“Anyone who is patriotic, loves Pakistan and believes that the path the country is taking is wrong and leads to destruction, will register their protest on this day,” he said.
He added that a large-scale public contact campaign would be launched until February 8. “We will go to the people, talk to our neighbors, talk to traders on the streets, inform residents and citizens. We will contact transport unions, rickshaw unions and professional organizations,” he said.
“Our students and youth will talk to their colleagues, women will contact women. The aim is to tell the public that the entire country is suffering the consequences of the atrocities that took place today,” Abbas added.
He said a shutdown strike would be observed on February 8 through organizational contacts, followed by separate plans for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Sindh and Punjab.
“In the evening, torchlight processions will take place wherever possible – in our neighborhoods, in our cities and wherever our voices can be raised peacefully,” he said, adding that all activities would remain peaceful.
“No one will be mistreated, no one will be tortured, no one will be insulted and no arson will be allowed. We are civilized people and we will not damage anyone’s personal or government property,” he added.
