TTAP demands access to Imran Khan amid reports of PIMS hospital visit

The leadership of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) voiced grave concern on Wednesday over reports that party founder Imran Khan was taken to a hospital last week without informing his party or family, calling it “abuse” and demanding immediate access to him.

Imran has been imprisoned since August 2023, currently serving a sentence at Adiala Jail in a £190 million corruption case. In addition, he faces pending trials under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) related to the protests of May 9, 2023. The party had expressed concern a day ago over Imran’s health, alleging that jail authorities and the government were obstructing treatment for a “serious eye condition” and demanding immediate medical care.

Concerns about Imran’s health were raised at a press conference addressed by Senate opposition leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, alongside PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Secretary General Salman Akram Raja.

Abbas said the leadership was disturbed by news circulating about Imran’s health. Commenting on the matter, he said reports suggested that Imran was taken to a hospital without the knowledge of either his family or his party.

“This is an abuse. They think that this will hurt his family and the people; this is their mistake. The people are hating them (the state) day by day,” he said.

Raja also expressed serious concern over the reports and demanded an immediate meeting with Imran and Bushra Bibi.

“A person who is ill, about whom reports are emerging that there are serious concerns regarding his health — why was he brought to a hospital, and why are we not being informed about this?” Raja said, citing a local media report which stated that sometime between Saturday and Sunday night, Imran was taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences.

He said the reports had amplified the party’s concerns many times over, adding that it was demanding immediate permission to meet Imran. Raja further said he fully endorsed the same demand regarding Bushra Bibi, stressing that “the solitary confinement in which she has been placed must be ended immediately.”

Read: PTI voices concern over Imran’s eye condition, demands immediate treatment

He further said that Imran’s personal physicians, who had no political affiliation, had repeatedly petitioned the courts to allow doctors from Shaukat Khanum Hospital, as well as dental and eye specialists, to examine and meet him, but this facility had not yet been provided.

“We are deeply concerned by the reports emerging about Imran Khan’s health. On this basis, a demand was made that his personal physicians be allowed to meet him immediately and conduct a comprehensive medical examination, but we have been told that this request, too, was not deemed admissible,” Raja said.

Calling the government’s refusal to allow meetings a “barbaric act”, Raja said the party had approached the Islamabad High Court chief justice and requested him to use the administrative and legislative authority he held. “We asked him to direct the advocate general to make this meeting happen as soon as possible, and that doctors and daughters should be allowed to meet them immediately,” he said.

Raja said that the solitary confinement of Imran and Bushra, their placement in punishment cells, and restrictions on meetings were unacceptable under any circumstances. “We have been informed that Bushra Bibi’s last meeting with her daughters — who are completely apolitical — took place on November 4. This situation is extremely concerning,” he added.

Referring to protests planned for February 8, Raja said the call for a Day of Mourning announced by opposition coalition Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ayin Pakistan was a duty of the entire nation.

“This is not a matter of any one personality or party. It is an insult to the nation’s vote. God willing, this Day of Mourning will one day become a Day of Democracy. We all must play our part in this struggle,” he said.

Abbas also announced that a ‘black day’ would be observed on Feb 8.

“Anyone who is patriotic, loves Pakistan, and believes that the path the country is being put on is wrong and leading to destruction, will register their protest on that day,” he said.

He added that a full-scale public contact campaign would be launched until Feb 8. “We will go to the people, talk to our neighbors, talk to the shopkeepers in the streets, inform the residents and citizens. We will contact transport unions, rickshaw unions and trade organisations,” he said.

“Our students and youth will talk to their colleagues, women will contact women. The aim is to tell the public that the entire country is suffering the consequences of the atrocities that took place today,” Abbas added.

He said a shutter-down strike would be observed on February 8 through organisational contacts, followed by separate plans for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Sindh and Punjab.

“In the evening, torchlight processions will be taken out wherever possible — in our neighborhoods, in our cities, and in every place where our voices can be raised peacefully,” he said, adding that all activities would remain peaceful.

“No one will be abused, no one will be tortured, no one will be insulted, and no kind of arson will be allowed. We are civilised people and will not damage anyone’s personal or government property,” he added.

Separately, former Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa finance minister Taimur Jhagra said in a post on X: “The facts about PM Imran Khan’s health, and whether he was taken to PIMS for an eye condition or not, will be clear the moment he is allowed to meet anyone. At that point, if the govt has been concealing information, it will be exceptionally embarrassing.”

He demanded that the government must immediately come clean on the facts of Imran’s health and immediately allow him access to his personal physicians.

Barrister Taimur Malik said that PTI leaders incarcerated in Kot Lokpat jail also raised concern for Imran’s health and issued a message.

“It is extremely distressing to hear news of Imran Khan’s eye infection which has apparently resulted in Central Retinal Vein Occlusion. This condition is very serious and if not treated properly may produce permanent damage to the eye resulting in loss of vision. The Form 47 government should stop its pretty behaviour and ensure that he is admitted to a hospital of his choice and given proper treatment.

“It is shameful that the leader of the largest political party in Pakistan, who has been incarcerated for more than 2.5 years on fabricated cases is being denied proper treatment. We appeal to the chief justice of Pakistan to look into the matter personally and ensure that the recommended treatment is given as soon as possible. The actions taken in this case should be visible to the people of Pakistan. We also appeal to the people of Pakistan to pray for Imran Khan’s health and longevity.”

Talal Chaudhry declines to confirm report

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry declined to confirm or deny the report in question, saying he was not in a position to either verify or reject it at present.

Speaking on Geo News programme Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Ke Saath, Chaudhry said: “I will say this much: if what you are saying is verified, or if there are any other relevant facts, they will be stated in full.”

He said that instead of engaging in speculation or sensationalism, people should wait for the government to formally confirm or deny the report.

Chaudhry said that despite being political opponents, the government would provide PTI founder Imran Khan with all facilities available to a prisoner. “If the report is proven to be true, it would mean that all health facilities are being provided to him,” he added.

He clarified that rumours being spread by PTI members regarding Imran Khan’s life and health were unfounded, adding that he was being provided healthcare, food and other facilities in a manner better than other prisoners.

Commenting on the issue of meetings, the minister said the matter fell under the jurisdiction of jail authorities. However, he added that if directives were issued, calls made, threats conveyed, or actions from within the jail affected the lives of ordinary people, then allowing such meetings would become difficult.