PTI leaders urge CJP to ensure medical, legal access for Imran Khan
Pakistan
Jailed PTI leaders write to CJP Yahya Afridi alleging denial of medical and legal access to Imran Khan, seeking court intervention over treatment of his eye condition.
LAHORE (Web Desk) - Detained leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have written a letter to Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi, expressing serious concerns over what they describe as obstruction in providing medical and legal access to the party’s founder, Imran Khan, and seeking judicial intervention.
The letter, sent through their legal counsel, was signed by senior PTI figures including Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Yasmin Rashid, Ijaz Chaudhry, Omar Sarfraz Cheema and Mahmood-ur-Rashid.
They stated that the former prime minister has repeatedly been denied meetings with his personal physician, family members, and lawyers during the course of his medical treatment.
The development comes a day after Imran Khan underwent a second eye injection at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad.
Imran Khan, who has been in custody since August 2023, is suffering from a serious eye condition known as central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO).
A medical report earlier submitted to the Supreme Court indicated that he has lost nearly 85 percent of vision in his right eye.
In their letter, PTI leaders compared his case with the medical treatment provided to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in 2019.
They noted that when Nawaz Sharif was admitted to Services Hospital in Lahore due to low platelet levels, authorities ensured comprehensive medical care.
Imran Khan brought to PIMS Hospital for follow-up eye treatment
His personal physician attended medical board meetings, and both family members and legal representatives were granted full access.
They further pointed out that Nawaz Sharif was later permitted to travel to England for heart treatment, where he had previously received care.
The PTI leaders alleged that the current government initially denied reports about Imran Khan’s illness and only acknowledged his CRVO diagnosis after it became public.
They claimed that his treatment rights were disregarded, his consultants’ access was limited, and his family and personal lawyer were prevented from meeting him.
According to the letter, his family was informed about his second eye injection only after the procedure had been completed, around 2am.
The signatories accused the government of deliberately creating hurdles to maintain political control, alleging that it lacks public mandate and is attempting to avoid instability.
They have appealed to the chief justice to take immediate notice of the matter and ensure that Imran Khan is provided access to his personal doctor, legal counsel, and family members in accordance with constitutional and legal provisions.
