Opposition ends Parliament sit-in as Ramazan begins, presses for independent medical access to Imran

ISLAMABAD: The opposition alliance Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-i-Ayin-i-Pakistan (TTAP) on Wednesday announced it would call off its days-long sit-in at Parliament House over health concerns of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan with the advent of Ramazan, while reiterating demands for his personal physicians and family to be granted unrestricted access.

Addressing the media after a hearing at the Supreme Court of Pakistan, Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas said there had been “minor improvement” in Imran’s eyesight compared to earlier reports suggesting severe vision loss.

“Thanks to God, there is a slight improvement compared to before, when the vision had gone completely—just a little bit,” he said, flanked by National Assembly Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai, PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan and PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja.

However, Abbas criticised the government for allegedly excluding Imran’s family and personal doctors from medical consultations. He reiterated that the PTI founder’s longtime physicians, Dr Aasim Yusuf and Dr Faisal Sultan, should be allowed to conduct an independent examination. He also endorsed the family’s demand for treatment at Shifa International Hospital, terming it a facility with competent and independent doctors.

Announcing the end of the protest in view of the holy month, Abbas said the alliance would adopt a new strategy after Ramazan if its concerns were not addressed. He warned that TTAP might approach the courts over what he described as delayed medical attention at Adiala jail, calling it a "crime."

The senator alleged that Parliament House had been “turned into a jail," claiming lawmakers were confined and terrorism charges were filed against alliance members. He added that Achakzai had been prepared to launch a hunger strike if reports of complete vision loss had proven true.

Earlier, the TTAP leadership appeared at the apex court to show solidarity during hearings related to Imran’s eligibility and other cases. The bench, headed by Justice Hashim Khan Kakar, dismissed a request by PTI leader Latif Khosa for a meeting with the jailed leader, observing that the court could not issue such directions in a criminal matter not fixed before it. Notices were issued to the Election Commission of Pakistan, and multiple cases were adjourned indefinitely.

Separately, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi announced the formation of a “Free Imran Khan Force” to mobilise youth nationwide for what he termed a peaceful movement seeking the former premier’s release. He said membership would open within days and that the force would dissolve upon Imran’s release.

In a list of five immediate demands, TTAP called for complete and confidential access for Imran’s personal doctors, provision of certified medical records, authority for independent medical opinions without government oversight, regular follow-up examinations, and a written explanation for any alleged delays in treatment.

While a recent medical report cited partial improvement in vision, Imran’s family and the opposition alliance rejected its findings, insisting on independent verification. The alliance maintained that its protest was aimed at ensuring transparency and preventing further negligence regarding the former premier’s health.