PTI raises alarm over Imran Khan's health, seeks immediate, independent medical access

-- Condemns soaring inflation, worsening energy crisis, calls for immediate public relief

-- Demands immediate transfer of Ijaz Chaudhry to hospital

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has voiced serious concern over the health of its founding Chairman and former Prime Minister, Imran Khan, warning that prolonged detention, restricted medical access, and extended solitary confinement have led to a worrying decline in his eyesight and overall condition.

In a statement issued on Monday by the PTI Central Media Department, the party stated that limited access to appropriate care and the absence of transparency around his medical evaluations have deepened public concern. PTI maintained that medical assessments conducted without the presence of trusted physicians or family members lack credibility and do not meet basic standards of patient rights.

PTI demanded the immediate transfer of Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital for a comprehensive and transparent medical examination, particularly of his eye condition. The party also called for unrestricted access for his personal physicians, including Dr. Faisal Sultan and Dr. Asim Yousaf, to examine and treat him without interference.

The party further stressed the presence of a family member during medical examinations to ensure transparency, as well as the release of complete medical records—including retinal imaging, OCT scans, visual field tests, and ERG reports—for independent review.

PTI emphasized that timely and proper medical care is a fundamental right of every detainee and urged immediate action to safeguard Imran Khan’s health and dignity.

Meanwhile, PTI expressed grave concern over the rapidly deteriorating health of the party’s jailed Senator Ijaz Chaudhry, demanding his immediate transfer to a fully equipped hospital for urgent and uninterrupted medical care.

According to the latest medical assessment, his kidney disease has advanced to Stage III, and specialist doctors have clearly stated that effective treatment is not possible within the prison environment.

PTI called upon the authorities to ensure that all elderly and ailing political prisoners—particularly those incarcerated at Kot Lakhpat Jail and other facilities across the country—are provided proper medical treatment without delay. The party stated that justice and humanity require that no individual’s life be endangered due to prolonged detention in conditions unfit for critical healthcare.

The party reiterated that this is not a request for any concession but a demand for the protection of fundamental human rights. The statement added that the continued incarceration of political leaders, including former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi, along with many others held in Lahore and elsewhere in bogus and politically motivated cases, raises serious humanitarian and legal concerns that must be addressed without prejudice and resolved without delay, demanding immediate release of all political prisoners including Imran Khan.

PTI also stressed that medical decisions regarding detainees must be transparent, credible, and respectful of the patient’s right to consultation with trusted physicians and family members.

The party emphasized that, at a time when the health and dignity of detainees are at stake, silence from relevant quarters is deeply regrettable. PTI urged immediate, compassionate, and lawful action to safeguard lives and uphold justice.

Moreover, PTI expressed deep concern over the sharp rise in inflation, continuous increases in electricity and gas tariffs, and the intensifying energy crisis that is placing an unbearable burden on citizens across the country. The party stated that households, small businesses, and traders are struggling to survive amid escalating costs, unemployment, and economic uncertainty.

PTI noted that disruptions in RLNG supply, declining domestic gas reserves, and persistent load-shedding have created severe difficulties for consumers. The shortage of gas has led to significant increases in LPG prices and reports of artificial scarcity of cylinders in the market, further aggravating public hardship.

At the same time, repeated hikes in electricity tariffs and soaring monthly bills have severely impacted salaried individuals and the business community, while claims of temporary relief have failed to translate into meaningful reductions for the public.

The party also raised concerns about economic governance, stating that despite tall claims, the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) has not produced tangible results. According to PTI, policy uncertainty and weak rule of law have undermined investor confidence and contributed to the decline in foreign direct investment.

PTI emphasized that sustainable economic stability and public relief are not possible without effective governance and restoration of constitutional norms. The party called for immediate and genuine reductions in electricity, petrol, and gas prices, urgent corrective steps to address mismanagement in the energy sector, and concrete measures to restore investor trust through rule of law and policy clarity.