Imran's 'hospital admission' worries PTI

ISLAMABAD:

Senior opposition leaders on Wednesday expressed grave concern over the health of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, particularly reports that he was transferred to a hospital for treatment without informing his family or the party leadership.

Top leaders from PTI and its allies held a joint press conference to raise concerns over the continued denial of access to Imran, a day after reports emerged that the incarcerated former prime minister had been suffering from an eye infection.

"The last meeting with Imran Khan took place on December 20, after which party officials and family members have not been allowed to meet him," PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said, adding that a petition had been filed in court but permission was still not granted.

He referred to reports suggesting that Imran was transferred to a hospital over the past weekend for a procedure related to an eye condition and later returned to jail. "The family should have been taken on board for moving him for medical treatment," Gohar said.

"To this day, we have not been informed about the disease for which he was taken to the hospital, which doctor examined him, or why he was brought back to jail," he continued, terming the situation "distressing for the nation, the party, and the family."

Gohar alleged that the government is attempting to consolidate power by making constitutional changes, which is eroding public trust. He demanded that restrictions on meeting Imran be lifted immediately, particularly before February 8.

Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas also expressed concern over Imran's health, saying that the PTI founder is a popular leader in Pakistan and that the denial of access to him constitutes serious injustice.

He added that the rulers were losing credibility and would eventually have to answer for it. He held the February 8, 2024 elections responsible for the current political and economic crisis, citing rising unemployment, farmers' losses, and public hardships.

He announced that coming February 8 will be observed as a 'Black Day,' with wheel-jam and shutter-down strikes, accompanied by torch-bearing processions in the evening, stressing that the protests will be completely peaceful.

PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said that the denial of access to Imran Khan and his spouse, Bushra Bibi, is "completely unacceptable." He alleged that even Imran's personal physician, who has no political affiliations, has been barred from seeing him.

Raja demanded that Imran be allowed to meet his personal physician and family without delay. He also said that petitions filed in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for the meetings have been adjourned after objections were raised, claiming that the petitioners had no right to approach the court.

Separately, senior PTI leaders currently incarcerated in Lahore's Kot Lakhpat jail said in an open letter that the party founder was suffering from an eye infection resulting in central retinal vein occlusion — a condition that could cause permanent vision loss if not treated properly.

The letter, shared by Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Dr Yasmin Rashid, Ejaz Chaudhry, Omar Safaraz Cheema, and Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed through their counsel Rana Mudassar, stated: "This condition is extremely serious and may produce permanent damage to the eye."

They urged the government to stop its "petty behaviour" and ensure that Imran Khan is admitted to a hospital of his choice for proper treatment. They also called on the Chief Justice of Pakistan to intervene and ensure that recommended medical procedures are administered promptly.