ISLAMABAD (MNN); Leaders of the opposition staged a protest outside the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday, demanding that the cases of jailed PTI founder Imran Khan be fixed for immediate hearing and that he be allowed to meet his family members.
The demonstration, which continued until around 2pm, was attended by Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas and PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja. Other participants included Amir Dogar, Ali Muhammad Khan, Shahid Khattak, Shafiullah Jan and Muhammad Hussain.
According to a post by the opposition alliance Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-i-Ayin-i-Pakistan, the protesters also demanded that Imran Khan undergo a complete medical examination conducted by his personal doctors.
Imran Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023 and is currently serving a 14-year sentence at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi in connection with a £190 million corruption case. He was also recently convicted in another case related to state gifts.
Concerns over his health have intensified in recent weeks after it emerged in late January that he was suffering from right central retinal vein occlusion. His family and party leaders have repeatedly expressed alarm over his medical condition.
Addressing reporters, Raja Nasir Abbas urged the government to adopt confidence-building measures, including granting access to Imran’s family and personal physicians. He stated that although the opposition considers the current rulers “Form-47” beneficiaries, any dialogue would still have to be held with them.
Salman Akram Raja said the party did not trust “any government report,” apparently referring to a report submitted to the apex court by the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences. He added that this was not the time to launch a movement or initiate talks but stressed the serious concerns raised by Imran’s sister, Uzma Khanum, regarding his well-being.
Raja also said that they had been unable to secure a meeting with Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi and would try again. He maintained that not only Imran’s eye but his overall health required a thorough examination.
Ali Muhammad Khan demanded that Imran be shifted to a hospital, saying the former prime minister was not asking for any special treatment. He suggested that Imran be moved to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad, as recommended by his family and personal doctors.
Shahid Khattak criticised the authorities, stating that the treatment of their leaders had been turned into an ego issue. He also noted that Imran’s wife, Bushra Bibi, remained incarcerated in what he described as political cases. He said opposition leaders would continue to approach the Supreme Court repeatedly to highlight the issue.
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court’s intervention allowed PTI lawyer Salman Safdar to meet Imran after weeks of restricted access. In his report submitted to the court, he stated that only 15 per cent vision remained in Imran’s right eye, sparking protests and strong reactions from the opposition.
Last week, the alliance had also staged a sit-in outside Parliament House to press for Imran’s medical examination and treatment. The protest was called off after five days in respect of the holy month of Ramazan.
