PTI Intensifies Demands for Medical Access to Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi
Pakistan's primary opposition party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has issued a firm demand to authorities, calling for immediate access to personal physicians and family members for its incarcerated leader, former Prime Minister Imran Khan, and his wife, Bushra Bibi. The party has vowed to sustain protest activities across the nation until these critical conditions are fulfilled, highlighting growing tensions over the health and detention of the prominent political figures.
Rally in Mardan Reinforces Party Stance
The demands were powerfully reiterated during a substantial public rally held in Mardan district, located within Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, a region governed by the PTI. Addressing a large assembly of supporters, KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi emphasized that the significant turnout demonstrated unwavering public backing for Imran Khan, who faces numerous legal cases that he and his party assert are politically motivated.
"Protest activities would continue until appropriate medical access is ensured for Imran Khan and his spouse, including access to personal physicians and family members, in accordance with due process," Afridi stated, as conveyed by his press secretary's office. This declaration underscores the party's commitment to leveraging public mobilization to pressure the government.
Health Concerns Prompt Urgent Calls
The appeals follow recent medical developments involving both individuals. Bushra Bibi underwent eye surgery earlier this week, amid complaints from her family and the PTI regarding her deteriorating health condition. Similarly, Imran Khan has required multiple eye procedures in recent months, raising alarms about the adequacy of medical care provided within the prison system.
Khan and his wife are currently detained at the high-security Adiala prison in Rawalpindi, with Khan imprisoned since 2023 and Bushra Bibi since early 2025. While the government maintains that both are receiving sufficient medical assistance, the PTI and their families contest this, citing specific needs for specialized personal doctors.
Legal and Detention Background
Bushra Bibi has experienced intermittent detention since January 2024, including significant periods of imprisonment and house arrest. As of December 2025, she is serving a 17-year sentence related to a case involving the alleged illegal sale of state gifts during her husband's tenure as prime minister. Imran Khan has been imprisoned for over two and a half years following convictions in multiple cases concerning corruption and state secrets, with his party persistently campaigning for his release.
In a recent development, Bushra Bibi's sister and daughters met with her at Adiala prison after her surgery, a meeting that lasted over an hour according to a jail official. However, the PTI argues that such visits are insufficient and irregular, necessitating guaranteed, consistent access.
Political Roadmap and Future Actions
Outlining the party's strategic direction, Chief Minister Afridi announced planned visits to Azad Jammu and Kashmir on April 25, coinciding with PTI's foundation day, and to Lahore on May 1. These movements are part of an ongoing street campaign directed by Imran Khan from prison, aimed at sustaining political momentum and amplifying demands for justice and proper treatment.
The government, in response, has reiterated that the cases against Khan are purely judicial matters, to be resolved through legal channels. Nonetheless, the PTI's escalating protests and public rallies signal a deepening political standoff, with health and humanitarian concerns at its core, potentially influencing broader political dynamics in Pakistan.
