ISLAMABAD (MNN); The opposition alliance Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-i-Ayin-i-Pakistan (TTAP) on Thursday announced that it will stage a sit-in outside Parliament after Friday prayers, citing serious concerns over the health of PTI founder Imran Khan.
The announcement came hours after the Supreme Court was informed through a report that the incarcerated former prime minister has only 15 per cent vision remaining in his right eye. The report was submitted by PTI counsel Advocate Salman Safdar, who quoted Imran as saying he had largely lost sight in the affected eye.
Speaking to the media, Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas said the alliance would demand that Imran be granted immediate access to doctors of his choice. He named specialists at Shifa International Hospital and called for Imran’s transfer for proper treatment, stressing that the state was responsible for the medical care of any person in custody.
TTAP chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai said the protest would remain peaceful and continue until their demands were accepted, urging citizens opposing injustice to join.
Earlier, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, accompanied by Imran’s sister Aleema Khanum and KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, alleged criminal negligence in providing timely medical treatment. Raja claimed that Imran began experiencing eye pain in November and lost vision in December but was only given eye drops for irritation. He said a retinal occlusion was later diagnosed after a doctor examined him in late January, and partial vision of 10–15pc was restored following treatment at Pims Hospital.
Raja accused jail authorities of delaying specialist care and announced plans to initiate legal action against former jail superintendent Abdul Ghafoor Anjum. He also questioned why Imran’s cases were not being fixed for hearing, alleging institutional complicity.
Aleema Khan expressed anguish over the report, saying adequate medical care had not been ensured. KP CM Afridi termed the alleged negligence a “criminal act” and warned of serious steps if necessary.
In the Senate, Raja Nasir Abbas called for the formation of an independent and transparent medical board, publication of full medical records and accountability for those responsible. He said the matter was being raised with national and international human rights organisations.
The PTI, in an official statement, condemned what it described as inhumane treatment and warned that further negligence could trigger a strong public reaction. The party demanded unrestricted access to personal physicians, transfer to a reputable hospital for specialised eye care, restoration of family visitation rights and unhindered access to legal counsel.
Several PTI leaders echoed similar concerns, alleging violation of human rights and international conventions on the treatment of prisoners. The party urged the media and global rights bodies to treat the matter as a serious human rights issue rather than a political dispute.
