ISLAMABAD: Opposition lawmakers aligned with PTI and the Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-i-Ayin-i-Pakistan (TTAP) continued their sit-in at Parliament House and KP House on Saturday, calling for the immediate transfer of PTI founder Imran Khan to a hospital for medical treatment.
The protest began after the Supreme Court was informed on Thursday that Imran’s right eye had retained only 15 per cent vision. In response, TTAP announced a sit-in outside Parliament House, which commenced after Friday prayers and carried on overnight. Demonstrators are demanding that he be shifted to Shifa International Hospital for specialised care.
PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram said on social media that the protest had entered its second day, alleging that opposition leaders were effectively confined inside Parliament House. He claimed that food was not allowed to be brought in overnight or Saturday morning, leaving participants exhausted.
TTAP leader Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar also attempted to deliver food and water to those inside but said police prevented supplies from entering. TTAP spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain Ahmed Yousafzai confirmed that the sit-in was ongoing at both Parliament House and KP House, adding that protesters were not being allowed to leave while others were barred from entering. He said the protest would continue until their demand was met.
According to Yousafzai, PTI Senator Falak Naz Chitrali had been feeling unwell since Friday night. He criticised the government for failing to engage with protest leaders.
The demonstration is being led by TTAP Chairman Mehmood Khan Achakzai and includes prominent opposition figures such as PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Senator Ali Zafar, Asad Qaiser and Junaid Akbar.
PTI leader Shandana Gulzar criticised Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi for granting four days for Imran’s medical examination, questioning whether the same timeline would apply in other cases. She alleged that authorities were delaying treatment and accused police of manhandling opposition lawmakers.
Separately, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) spokesperson Aslam Ghauri condemned what he described as violence against protesters and demanded the release of detained leaders.
KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi urged supporters across the country to remain peaceful. In a statement, he stressed that Imran’s health was more important than politics and warned that provocateurs could attempt to disrupt the peaceful nature of the protests. He called on workers to remain vigilant and avoid reacting to unverified information.
Earlier, Imran’s sister Aleema Khanum criticised the Supreme Court for not issuing written orders to ensure his immediate transfer for treatment. She expressed concern that without clear court directives, emergency medical care would be delayed.
PTI leader Omar Ayub Khan also called for urgent medical access, saying every delay could further endanger Imran’s eyesight.
In a video message, Imran’s personal physician Dr Faisal Sultan recommended that he be shifted to Shifa International Hospital, stating that timely intervention by retinal specialists in a fully equipped medical facility was crucial. He also requested that he and Dr Asim Yousuf be included in any medical board formed to oversee treatment to ensure continuity of care based on Imran’s medical history.
Meanwhile, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the government had assured that there would be no negligence regarding Imran’s health. He maintained that the former prime minister would be taken to any medical facility of his choice, including Al-Shifa Eye Trust, and emphasised that the matter should not be politicised.
The minister added that the chief justice was personally overseeing the case and reiterated that the government would ensure Imran received appropriate medical care.