Political tensions in Pakistan escalated sharply late Thursday night as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi led more than 300 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf legislators in an indefinite sit-in outside Adiala Jail, demanding immediate access to jailed former prime minister Imran Khan amid mounting concerns over his health.
The protest was triggered after the federal government acknowledged that Khan had been quietly moved out of prison to Islamabad’s Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences for an eye procedure, without informing his family, lawyers, or party leadership. According to CNN-News18 sources, the disclosure came only after media reports suggested the former prime minister may be suffering from Central Retinal Vein Occlusion, a serious condition that can lead to permanent vision loss if mishandled.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed on Thursday that Khan was transferred to PIMS last Saturday and underwent a 20-minute medical procedure. The government insisted that the 73-year-old leader was “absolutely healthy” and that the treatment was carried out with his consent. PTI leaders, however, rejected this explanation outright, accusing the authorities of secrecy, negligence, and contempt of court.
PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said the party was kept completely in the dark. “They lied to us saying he was fine, but now talk of an operation has come to light,” Raja said. He alleged that the government violated court orders that guarantee Khan regular access to his family and personal doctors. According to Raja, the party learned of the alleged CRVO diagnosis only through credible media leaks.
Leading the sit-in, CM Sohail Afridi made it clear that the protest would not end without direct access to Khan. Speaking to reporters outside Adiala Jail, Afridi posed a series of pointed questions to the federal government, accusing it of endangering the life of a former elected prime minister.
“Why was his health allowed to deteriorate to this point? Why was his illness concealed from the public and his legal team? Why were his family members denied meetings during this critical period? Why was the hospital transfer kept secret? And why was the family not taken into confidence before performing a medical procedure?” Afridi asked.
CNN-News18 sources said the atmosphere outside the jail remained tense through the night, with PTI lawmakers and supporters braving freezing temperatures, lighting fires and chanting slogans in solidarity. KP Information Minister Shafi Jan said the sit-in would continue until at least one of three doctors nominated by the party is allowed to independently examine Khan.
“This is an issue of the leader’s life. We will absolutely not normalise it,” Afridi warned, adding that the nation should remain prepared for further calls to action.
Raja issued a clear ultimatum to the government, stating that if Khan’s family, lawyers, doctors, and Bushra Bibi’s daughters are not granted access by Friday morning, the party will escalate its agitation nationwide. “We will resume our course of action tomorrow morning,” he said.
With local body elections approaching and a major protest call looming on February 8, the handling of Imran Khan’s health has emerged as a political flashpoint. Critics say the government’s secrecy and denial have only deepened mistrust, raising fresh questions about transparency, rule of law, and the treatment of political prisoners in Pakistan.
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