— Red Zone locked down as PTI launches sit-in over Imran’s eye health
— Govt rejects negligence claims, assures treatment of choice
— PTI demands written Supreme Court order for medical access
— Protest widens as Awaam Pakistan joins opposition camp
ISLAMABAD: A day after claims surfaced that jailed PTI founder Imran Khan has lost most of the vision in his right eye, the opposition alliance Tehreek Tahafuz-i-Ayeen Pakistan (TTAP) launched a sit-in outside Parliament House on Friday, vowing to continue until he is shifted for specialised treatment.
The protest followed submissions before the Supreme Court of Pakistan stating that Imran’s right eye retained only 15 per cent vision. In response, TTAP announced it would stage a sit-in demanding his transfer to Al-Shifa Hospital.
The capital’s Red Zone was sealed on Friday as heavy police contingents blocked lawmakers from approaching Parliament House amid a sit-in by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) over the alleged neglect of jailed party founder Imran Khan’s eye ailment.
Barriers were erected at Radio Pakistan Chowk, halting movement towards Shahrah-e-Dastoor and Parliament House, while police also shut the gates of the Parliament Lodges as PTI lawmakers attempted to join the protest.
The demonstration follows a report submitted to the Supreme Court of Pakistan by PTI counsel Salman Safdar after visiting Adiala jail as amicus curiae. Safdar had informed the court that the former premier had been left with only 15 per cent vision in his right eye.
Speaking outside Parliament, PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan said he had “barely managed” to reach the building. “Parliamentarians are being stopped; I somehow managed to reach parliament,” he said, announcing the start of the sit-in.
Gohar warned that if the party was not permitted to protest at the designated site, demonstrations would spread nationwide. “We want to steer matters in the right direction. If the situation slips from our hands, the government will not be able to control it,” he cautioned.
He added that Imran had authorised National Assembly Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai and Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas to lead the protest.
Addressing supporters, Achakzai said the sit-in would remain peaceful but insisted that Imran’s personal physician and family be allowed access. “We want him to be treated by competent doctors available in the country,” he said, adding that authorities could declare a hospital a “sub-jail” to ensure treatment while maintaining custody.
“Our biggest demand is the PTI founder’s health,” Achakzai said, warning that the protest could intensify if adequate medical arrangements were not made.
Citing the report before the apex court, he claimed Imran’s eyesight had deteriorated significantly and criticised the government for ignoring the matter. “Imran Khan is not just a former prime minister, but also a human being and a prisoner,” he said, arguing that transferring him for a check-up would take only minutes.
The standoff underscores rising tensions between the government and opposition as the PTI presses for immediate medical intervention for its jailed leader.
In a post on X, the alliance declared that the protest would continue “until Imran is admitted to Al-Shifa Hospital,” stressing that there would be “no compromise” on his health.
PTI leader Asad Qaiser said party lawmakers reached Parliament “after overcoming all obstacles” and held consultations with National Assembly Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Shahram Khan Tarakai and Shandana Gulzar on the future course of action.
Qaiser later shared footage of the sit-in, saying the opposition was demanding that Imran be provided medical facilities in the presence of his family and personal physician. “Providing the best medical facilities is his legal and constitutional right,” he said, warning that further steps would be announced if demands were not met.
By evening, TTAP said the protest had shifted to a corridor inside Parliament House under the leadership of Achakzai and Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, though demonstrators remained gathered at the main entrance.
Earlier, TTAP leader Mustafa Nawaz Khokar alleged that authorities had cordoned off roads leading to Parliament and sealed parliamentary lodges to prevent opposition lawmakers from joining the protest. “This reflects weakness, not strength,” he said.
Protest spreads to KP House
Separately, supporters of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi staged a sit-in outside KP House in Islamabad after his aide claimed police had blocked the CM and provincial lawmakers from reaching Parliament. PTI alleged that some protesters were manhandled, including Special Assistant Shafi Jan.
Govt says no politics over medical issue
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry rejected allegations of obstruction, saying the opposition had the right to protest and that any blockade was not imposed by the government.
He assured that Imran would be taken “wherever he prefers” for medical examination — including Al-Shifa Eye Trust — and insisted that no negligence would be tolerated. “This is a sensitive matter; politicising it is unfair,” he said, adding that specialists would examine the incarcerated leader and a fresh medical report would be issued soon.
Chaudhry also questioned the timing of the complaints, noting that no eye-related concerns were raised during earlier family visits, medical board reviews, or court proceedings in December. He said Chief Justice Yahya Afridi was personally overseeing the matter.
PTI seeks written court order
Meanwhile, PTI demanded formal written directions from the Supreme Court to ensure that Imran is examined by specialists under the supervision of his own doctors at Shifa International Hospital.
“This is not about politics or power. This is about Imran Khan’s life,” the party said.
Imran’s sister, Aleema Khan, also urged the court to issue written orders without delay, arguing that the directive could not be implemented otherwise despite a February 16 deadline.
Awaam Pakistan joins protest
The leadership of Awaam Pakistan — including former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and former finance minister Miftah Ismail — announced it would join TTAP’s sit-in after Friday prayers.
Calling denial of timely medical care “immoral, inhumane and illegal,” the alliance said it would stand with the opposition until Imran receives what it termed urgent and lawful treatment.
