Red Zone Sealed as PTI Stages Sit-In Over Imran’s Health
News Desk
Islamabad: Islamabad’s high-security Red Zone was sealed on Friday as supporters and lawmakers of Imran Khan gathered outside Parliament House to stage a sit-in over concerns about his deteriorating eyesight.
The protest was organised by the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which has alleged negligence in the medical treatment of its jailed founder.
Police placed barriers at key entry points, including Radio Pakistan Chowk, and blocked access to Shahrah-e-Dastoor and Parliament House. Lawmakers were reportedly stopped from approaching the premises, while the gates of Parliament Lodges were also shut.
Speaking to the media outside Parliament, PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan said he had “barely managed” to reach the building. “Parliamentarians are being stopped; I somehow managed to reach parliament,” he said, warning that if the party was not allowed to hold its protest at the designated site, demonstrations could spread nationwide.
Read More: https://thepenpk.com/imran-khans-medical-report-shared-with-family-says-govt/
Gohar said the party founder had authorised Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Mehmood Khan Achakzai and Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas to lead the protest.
Addressing participants, Achakzai assured that the sit-in would remain peaceful but demanded immediate medical attention for the former prime minister. He urged authorities to allow Imran Khan’s personal physician and family members to meet him and called for his transfer to a hospital of his choice for examination.
“Our biggest demand is the PTI founder’s health,” Achakzai said, citing a report submitted to the Supreme Court which claimed that Khan’s vision in his right eye had significantly deteriorated, leaving him with only 15 per cent eyesight. He suggested declaring a hospital a “sub-jail” to facilitate treatment while maintaining custody.
Read More: https://thepenpk.com/after-months-of-vacuum-achakzai-named-na-opposition-leader/
The protest follows a report submitted before the Supreme Court by PTI counsel Salman Safdar, who was appointed amicus curiae and directed to visit Adiala jail after Khan raised concerns about his health condition.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed plans to shift the PTI founder to a new Islamabad jail once construction is completed in two months. Speaking to reporters in the federal capital, Naqvi said the facility would include full medical services and added that the former premier would be transferred there as he had been convicted by the Islamabad High Court.
The confirmation comes weeks after authorities had dismissed reports suggesting that Khan would be moved from Adiala jail, maintaining at the time that he was receiving full security and medical care in accordance with jail regulations.
Tensions remain high in the capital as PTI leaders warn of further escalation if their demands regarding the former premier’s medical treatment are not met.
