ISLAMABAD: A sit-in staged by lawmakers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the opposition alliance Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Aiyeen Pakistan (TTAP) entered its third consecutive day on Sunday, despite the government’s decision to shift jailed former prime minister Imran Khan to a hospital in view of his health condition, particularly reduced vision in his right eye.
The former ruling party has rejected any move to transfer its incarcerated founder to a hospital without prior approval from his family and personal physicians.
Earlier, the federal government announced that Imran Khan — who has been in custody since August 2023 and faces multiple cases — would be shifted to a hospital and examined by a medical board. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the decision was taken considering his health condition.
Protest demonstrations by PTI and TTAP lawmakers are being held at Parliament House, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House and Parliament Lodges, with National Assembly Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Senate Opposition Leader Raja Nasir Abbas, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and former chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur among those participating.
In separate statements, opposition leaders expressed concern over reports regarding the possible hospital transfer and stressed that any medical decision must involve consultation with the former premier’s family and legal team. They emphasised that his legal and human rights should be fully ensured.
A PTI spokesperson said transferring the former prime minister without taking his family and personal doctors into confidence would be unacceptable, adding that the sit-in would continue until he is shifted to a specified medical facility.
Speaking to media outside Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House, Ali Amin Gandapur described the eye condition as highly sensitive and termed recent government statements regarding a possible hospital transfer a positive development. However, he said any decision about ending the protest would rest with persons authorised by the PTI founder, warning that the party could expand its protest if the demand was not met.
Medical board developments
Meanwhile, a special medical panel constituted to examine Imran Khan could not reach Adiala Jail between Saturday and Sunday night, according to sources. The panel includes senior doctors, and authorities said any decision regarding his transfer would be taken in light of the board’s recommendations.
Last month, the former prime minister underwent a medical procedure at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences after being diagnosed with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), a condition affecting blood flow in the eye and commonly linked with cardiovascular risk factors.
Officials said the procedure was conducted successfully, while a medical report submitted to the Supreme Court stated that the former premier claimed he had been left with approximately 15% vision in his right eye despite treatment.