ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: Lawmakers belonging to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the opposition alliance Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Aiyeen Pakistan (TTAP) continued their sit-in for a second day on Saturday, expressing concern over the health of incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan, particularly claims regarding deterioration of vision in his right eye.
The protest demonstrations were staged outside Parliament House, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House and Parliament Lodges, with National Assembly Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Senate Opposition Leader Raja Nasir Abbas, KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and former chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur among participants.
Authorities had sealed Islamabad’s Red Zone on Friday, deploying police contingents and placing barriers in the high-security area.
The opposition protests come amid PTI allegations of negligence in providing medical treatment to the jailed party founder, who has been incarcerated for more than two years.
PTI counsel Salman Safdar, appointed as amicus curiae by the Supreme Court of Pakistan, met Imran Khan at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail on court orders and submitted a report stating that the former premier complained he had only 15% vision remaining in his right eye.
The apex court earlier directed authorities to grant him access to specialist ophthalmologists and ordered a formal medical examination by a team of doctors before February 16. It also allowed him to hold telephone conversations with his sons, Kasim Khan and Sulaiman Khan.
Medical condition
Last month, Imran Khan underwent a medical procedure at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), where doctors diagnosed him with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), a serious eye condition often associated with cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol.
PIMS Executive Director Dr Rana Imran Sikandar said a team of senior doctors performed a specialised procedure in a sterile operating theatre under close monitoring, which was completed successfully within about 20 minutes.
Government, opposition positions
Speaking to the media, Achakzai said the sit-in would continue until Imran Khan was shifted to Shifa International Hospital for treatment, while also demanding that his personal physician and family members be allowed to meet him.
Meanwhile, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan was reportedly contacted by government representatives and assured that a medical panel would be constituted to examine the former premier.
In Lahore, Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan said his vision had remained blurry for the past three months and questioned why authorities were not allowing his personal doctor access during treatment.
The government has maintained that proper medical care has been provided and stated that any deliberate withholding of treatment would constitute criminal negligence.
Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah told the Senate that Imran Khan first complained about his eye condition in early January, after which he was examined by jail doctors and later by medical teams on multiple occasions. He said the former premier had been examined by external doctors 25 times and received treatment, including an injection administered on January 24.