PTI Leaders Stage Sit-in at Supreme Court Over Imran Khan's Medical Access
In a significant political development, leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) staged a sit-in outside the Supreme Court in Islamabad on Friday. The protest was aimed at demanding access to the party founder, Imran Khan, and highlighting serious concerns regarding his medical treatment while incarcerated.
Meetings with Judicial and Government Officials
During the day, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja engaged in a series of high-level meetings. He first met with Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi in his chambers, following an earlier attempt with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. When the Chief Justice did not meet them initially, they held a brief 10-minute discussion with the Supreme Court registrar. Subsequently, Raja, along with Sardar Latif Khan Khosa, met separately with Attorney General for Pakistan Usman Mansoor Awan.
Speaking to the media outside the Supreme Court premises, Raja expressed dissatisfaction with the outcomes of these efforts. He stated that despite day-long conversations, the results were unsatisfactory. However, he confirmed that the family of Imran Khan would receive a copy of his medical report. The Attorney General outlined a process for forwarding requests to allow access for Imran Khan's personal doctors, which the federal government is currently reviewing.
Concerns Over Medical Treatment and Access
Raja raised alarming issues about Imran Khan's health management. He alleged that Imran Khan's eye surgery was concealed from his family and legal team, with the government denying the procedure for five days before he was taken to PIMS Hospital. Raja emphasized that the law requires informing a prisoner's family if they are hospitalized, a protocol he claims was violated.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who was present at the protest, added that Imran Khan was examined in jail when he fell ill, but his family and lawyers were not notified. He pointed out that PIMS Hospital lacks a retina specialist, raising further concerns about the adequacy of medical care. Afridi vowed that the PTI leaders would remain at the Supreme Court until they receive a satisfactory response.
Security Measures and Political Support
Ahead of the PTI leaders' arrival, security at the Supreme Court was significantly tightened. Extra personnel and prisoner vans were deployed around the complex to manage the situation. The sit-in saw participation from several prominent PTI figures, including Senator Falak Naz Chitrali, PTI leader Latif Khosa, Senator Mirza Afridi, and Senate opposition leader Allama Rana Nasir Abbas.
When questioned about arrest warrants issued by an Islamabad court, Afridi responded that he was unaware of the specifics but declared his readiness to be arrested, stating, Let anyone come and arrest me.
Legal Appeals and Judicial Delays
In a related development, Imran Khan's counsel, Barrister Salman Safdar, wrote a letter to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice on Friday. The letter requested an early hearing for appeals against convictions in the Al Qadir Trust and Toshakhana cases, citing the imminent arrival of the Holy Month of Ramzan.
Safdar detailed a pattern of what he described as political victimization, with numerous cases filed against Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Imran Khan, since November 2022. He argued that many of these prosecutions have been annulled by superior courts, exposing what he called a malicious pattern of targeting his clients.
The counsel highlighted several key points in his letter:
- Imran Khan has been incarcerated since August 2023 and continues to face what he terms frivolous prosecutions.
- Criminal revisions filed in January 2025 were never fixed for hearing, leading to convictions without proper adjudication.
- Applications for suspension of sentence in the Al-Qadir Trust case have faced repeated delays and adjournments.
- Bushra Imran Khan's case warrants special attention, as her arrest was not sought by NAB, and the evidence against her is deemed weak.
Safdar expressed frustration over the lack of progress, noting that an entire year has passed without any cases being fixed or heard. He called for immediate intervention by the IHC Chief Justice to restore public confidence in the judicial system.
The sit-in and legal appeals underscore ongoing tensions in Pakistan's political landscape, with PTI leaders leveraging judicial avenues to address grievances related to Imran Khan's detention and health concerns.
