ISLAMABAD: The Senate plunged into chaos on Friday after a resolution concerning the health of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan was rejected, triggering fierce protests from opposition lawmakers.
Members of the opposition stormed the space before the chairman’s dais, chanting slogans against the government and accusing it of subjecting a high-profile prisoner to inhumane treatment.
The uproar followed claims made a day earlier by PTI counsel Barrister Salman Safdar that Imran’s right eye had been left with only 15 per cent vision due to delayed medical care.
Responding during the session, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah rejected the allegations, asserting that the PTI founding chairman first complained about an eye issue in early January — contradicting the party’s claim that he had been raising concerns for four months.
Sanaullah maintained that medical treatment was provided without delay and was fully documented. He said jail doctors examine Imran every second day as part of routine care and that medical boards had reviewed his condition 25 times. He added there was no mention of any eye ailment during a medical board meeting on December 9, 2025.
The adviser further noted that when Imran’s lawyers met him on December 20 following the Toshakhana-II case verdict, no eye-related complaint was raised. “If PTI has any suggestions regarding his medical care, it should approach the Supreme Court of Pakistan,” he said, assuring that any directives issued by the apex court would be implemented.
Sanaullah also claimed that a report submitted to the court indicated the former premier was satisfied with prison conditions. He urged PTI to refrain from politicising the matter.
However, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Allama Raja Nasir Abbas called for treating the issue on humanitarian grounds. Proposing a joint visit by treasury and opposition members, he said, “Let us meet him, see his condition, and report back to the Senate. Let people meet him — things will normalise.”
Abbas alleged criminal negligence in the handling of Imran’s treatment and claimed the examining doctor was not a retina specialist.
Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl parliamentary leader Senator Kamran Murtaza echoed concerns, warning that the former prime minister’s eyesight was at risk. He supported the proposal for a bipartisan delegation to visit Imran and suggested options including parole, bail, transfer to hospital, or declaring his residence a sub-jail.
“Take the path that earns us respect in global democracies,” Murtaza urged, stressing that access to medical treatment was a constitutional right under Article 9 — for every citizen, including a former prime minister.
