CM Afridi stresses immediate treatment for Imran Khan, calls for calm amid PTI protests

• Sohail Afridi cites Supreme Court directive: Khan’s medical treatment to be completed by Feb 16

• Affirms treatment under personal physicians’ supervision with family consultation and ensured security

• Urges party workers to remain peaceful and vigilant, warns of disruptive elements

 PESHAWAR: Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Saturday referred to a directive from the Supreme Court of Pakistan, stating that under the orders of the Chief Justice, incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan must receive complete medical treatment by February 16.

Reacting to recent tensions following the publication of a report on Khan’s eye condition, Afridi took to X, urging that the matter not be politicised and stressing that treatment must proceed in strict accordance with court directives. He called for calm and restraint, asking party workers to remain peaceful and vigilant while ensuring that Khan receives immediate and proper medical care.

میرے پاکستانیوں!!!
عمران خان صاحب کی صحت میرے لیے سیاست سے بڑھ کر ہے۔ اُن کی صحت پر نا میں خود سیاست کرونگا اور نا ہی کسی کو کرنے دونگا۔ پوری قوم میں عمران خان صاحب کے لیے بے انتہا محبت کی وجہ سے جو اس وقت غم اور غصہ پایا جا رہا ہے اُس کا مُجھے بخوبی احساس ہے۔ لیکن اس کو ہم نے…

— Sohail Afridi (@SohailAfridiISF) February 14, 2026

Political temperatures escalated after a seven-page report submitted to the Supreme Court detailed the conditions of the PTI founder at Adiala Jail, quoting him as saying he had lost 85% vision in his right eye. The report sparked strong condemnation from the PTI, which labelled the alleged denial of proper medical care as “grave and inexcusable negligence,” claiming that Khan’s treatment had been limited to basic eye drops for months despite his deteriorating condition.

In a significant development, the federal government assured the apex court that Khan would be provided access to specialist eye doctors for a fresh medical assessment and would be allowed telephonic contact with his sons, Kasim and Sulaiman. These assurances were given during a hearing before a two-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi, along with Justice Shahid Bilal Hasan, on the facilities available to Khan at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail.

Within hours, the opposition alliance Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP), of which PTI is a key stakeholder, announced a sit-in outside Parliament. Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Mehmood Achakzai warned that the government would be responsible if anything happened to Khan before their demands were met. The PTI central leadership is spearheading the protest, with MNAs, MPAs, and senators directed to participate, and the sit-in is expected to continue for an indefinite period if necessary.

Further intensifying the row, PTI leaders alleged that Khan was taken to the hospital without proper consent and without consulting his personal physicians or family. The party demanded immediate access to trusted doctors, possible transfer to a reputable hospital for specialised treatment, restoration of family visitation and legal access, and accountability of jail officials. It also warned of a wider public movement and possible legal action if its demands were not addressed, urging international human rights organisations and the media to take notice of what it described as medical and mental torture.

In a statement addressed to “my fellow Pakistanis,” CM Afridi stressed that Khan’s health is “above politics” and vowed neither to politicise the issue himself nor allow others to do so.

“Imran Khan’s health is more important to me than politics. I will neither politicise it myself nor allow anyone else to do so,” Afridi said, acknowledging the “grief and anger” among supporters. He urged party workers to turn their emotions into strength, stating: “In difficult and delicate times, one has to fight with wisdom and composure. Your hidden strategy is your greatest strength.”

Describing Khan as “not an ordinary person,” the K-P CM noted that he is a former prime minister and the lifelong chairman of the country’s largest political party. He alleged that “a mockery has been made of his health, which is an unforgivable act,” and stressed that ensuring the best possible medical treatment is now the top priority.

“No one should think that I will sit idle until Imran Khan receives treatment,” Afridi added. He also directed party workers who had taken to the streets without official orders to remain peaceful and support fellow workers nearby. The statement cautioned that Khan’s opponents, accused of subjecting him to “medical terrorism,” could attempt to infiltrate protests to provoke violence.

“We must keep an eye on disruptive elements and continue peaceful protest,” Afridi said, warning supporters not to believe any negative or false propaganda unless confirmed by Khan’s family or the party.

CM Afridi assured the public that Khan’s treatment would be conducted under the supervision of his personal physicians and in consultation with his family, while also stressing the need to ensure his security alongside treatment for his reported eye condition.