RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD: Amid concerns over the health of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, particularly his eyesight, lawmakers from the party along with members of the opposition alliance Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Aiyeen Pakistan (TTAP) continued their sit-in for a fourth consecutive day on Monday, demanding his transfer to a hospital for treatment.
The protest is being staged outside Parliament House, with National Assembly Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai and Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas in attendance.
However, sit-ins at the Parliament Lodges and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House have ended after Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and former chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur left the KP House protest site.
The TTAP leadership has stated that demonstrations will continue until the incarcerated former premier is shifted from Adiala Jail to Al-Shifa Eye Trust Hospital.
The issue of Imran Khan’s health has emerged as the latest point of contention between the government and the opposition after a medical report submitted by his counsel, Barrister Salman Safdar, revealed that he had been diagnosed with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), a serious eye condition linked to cardiovascular risk factors. The report further stated that the former prime minister has complained of losing about 85% of vision in his right eye.
Following the report, PTI leaders and family members expressed concern over his health and demanded his immediate transfer to a specialised medical facility.
Meanwhile, sources said that Imran Khan underwent an hour-long medical examination by a team of five senior doctors a day earlier, adding that the pain in his right eye had reduced and further improvement was expected with ongoing treatment. The medical report has been forwarded to the relevant authorities to meet the deadline set by the Supreme Court of Pakistan for submission by February 16.
Jail authorities have also sent his medical records to the Punjab Home Department, including details of vital signs, blood pressure, pulse, temperature and blood sugar levels.
Separately, the former prime minister has approached the Islamabad High Court seeking suspension of his sentence in the Toshakhana-2 case and release on bail on medical and humanitarian grounds.
Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment in the Toshakhana-2 case related to the alleged under-priced purchase and sale of state gifts.
A separate application has also been filed requesting an early hearing of a plea seeking suspension of sentence in the Al-Qadir Trust case, commonly referred to as the £190 million case.