ISLAMABAD: Lawmakers from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and opposition alliance Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Aiyeen Pakistan (TTAP) continued their sit-in for a second day on Saturday, citing serious concerns over the health of incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan, particularly an alarming decline in vision in his right eye.
The protest demonstrations are being held at the Parliament House, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House and the Parliament Lodges, with prominent opposition leaders including National Assembly Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and former chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur participating alongside other lawmakers.
Authorities sealed Islamabad’s Red Zone on Friday, deploying heavy police contingents and placing barriers around sensitive areas.
The demonstrations come as PTI has accused authorities of negligence in the treatment of Imran Khan’s eye condition. The former premier has been in jail for more than two years, and his detention remains a major point of conflict between the opposition and the government.
PTI counsel Salman Safdar, appointed by the Supreme Court as amicus curiae, met Imran Khan at Adiala Jail under court orders and submitted a seven-page report on his living conditions. The report stated that Imran complained of being left with only 15% vision in his right eye.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court directed that Imran be examined by specialist eye doctors and ordered a formal medical assessment by a team before February 16. The court also instructed that he be allowed telephone contact with his sons, Kasim Khan and Sulaiman Khan.
Imran Diagnosed With CRVO
The dispute follows last month’s confirmation that Imran underwent a medical procedure at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims). Doctors diagnosed him with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), a serious condition commonly linked with cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease.
Pims Executive Director Dr Rana Imran Sikandar said the procedure was completed successfully in about 20 minutes under sterile conditions and close monitoring.
Government, Opposition At Odds
TTAP spokesperson Hussain Akhunzada claimed lawmakers had been trapped inside parliament since Friday, alleging that even basic necessities like water and breakfast were not being allowed in. He also said PTI Senator Falak Naz’s health had deteriorated during the protest.
In Lahore, Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan said his vision had been blurry for the past three months and questioned why authorities were not permitting his personal physician and family members to be present during treatment.
Achakzai stressed the sit-in would remain peaceful but demanded that Imran be shifted immediately to a hospital of his choice for examination. TTAP leaders warned the protest could extend through Ramadan if demands were not met.
The government, meanwhile, has insisted medical care has not been withheld. Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah told the Senate that Imran first raised the complaint in early January and was provided treatment promptly. He said external doctors had examined him 25 times and rejected claims that the issue had been ignored for months.