Imran’s eyes

The end of the sit-in is to be succeeded by the more honest ‘Free Imran’ campaign

The government’s having had PTI founder Imran Khan’s eyes tested has led to some improvement in his vision, and to the ending of the Tehrik Tahaffuz Ain Pakistan sit-in at Parliament House. However, the TTAP insists that the sit-in was not ended for any other reason than its respect for Ramazan, and has pointed towards other sources of activity to get Mr Khan treated. KP CM Sohail Afridi has gone a step further and franker by announcing the formation of a Free Imran Force. He did not provide details, but indications are that there may be some puerile ideas floating around about busting Mr Khan out of jail. Apparently, there are some within the PTI who feel impatience with the slow and gradual process of facing all the charges and serving out any sentences that may be handed down. These elements seem to try and make the issue of Mr Khan’s eyes subject not for humanitarian concern, but another move in the game of chess that surrounds mr Khan.

The principal TTAP demand is that Mr Khan be allowed to consult his personal physicians. On the face of it this is a reasonable demand, but it does obscure the fact that while Drs Asim Yusuf and Faisal Sultan are doubtless very competent in their own fields, neither is an ophthalmologist. While having received the normal instruction in ophthalmology at the undergraduate level, they have since pursued higher studies in different fields, Dr Yusuf being a psychiatrist and Dr Faisal an infectious diseases specialist.  It has also demanded that he be treated at Shifa Eye Hospital, which is located in the same city of Rawalpindi as Adiala Jail, where Mr Khan is currently detained.

Does the TTAP, the PTI or any member of Mr Khan’s family think his eye problem can be parlayed into his release? That seems to be a far-fetched notion. However, it does seem appropriate for the government to show him as much courtesy as he did himself when PM, of letting him consult the doctors of his choice. By loading his illness with family meetings, which will prove more to do with politics than his health, Mr Khan’s friends and supporters do him no service.