Imran Khan avoids the 'lift' at public rallies after May accident

Organisers at Faisalabad rally bring specially built iron-stairs for PTI Chairman.

FAISALABAD: Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan, who had survived a 14-foot drop from a forklift at a rally in Lahore before the May elections, has decided to stick to stairs, Express News reported on Monday.

While campaigning for the general elections, Imran was being lifted onto a stage at a rally in Lahore on May 7, when the presence of guards unbalanced him and caused him to fall.

The 60-year-old former cricket star suffered serious injuries including a fractured vertebrae and rib. He was ordered by his doctors to remain immobile in bed for at least three weeks.

The injury prevented him from actively campaigning for the last few days before the elections. It also forced him to miss out on the inaugural session of the newly elected assembly and had to take his oath later.

The PTI chairman was able to return to his full functional capacity after eight weeks.

The incident also raised serious concerns on the larger issue of security arrangements at election rallies.

Express News reported that in order to avoid a repeat of the Lahore incident, organisers at a recent rally in Faisalabad brought exclusive stairs for the chairman.

The organisers had a an iron ladder built on war-footing that was welded with the stage container.