Sisters of incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan were again not allowed to meet him at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail on Tuesday, while his party termed the persistent denial of meetings with the ex-prime minister a “blatant violation of fundamental human and constitutional rights”.
The IHC has allowed Imran twice-a-week meetings – on Tuesday and Thursdays – with his family, lawyers and other associates. Despite the order, the ex-premier has not been largely restricted from meeting visitors for several weeks.
His last meeting took place with his lawyer, Salman Safdar, on February 10, after the Supreme Court’s intervention following a long period of no visits being allowed.
Speaking to the media outside the Adiala jail, one of Imran’s sisters, Aleema Khanum, said it was important to determine the cause of Imran’s medical issues, which have garnered attention in recent days.
Concerns mounted after partial vision loss in Imran’s right eye was reported via Safdar after he met him. Doctors later confirmed that, with glasses, the PTI founder had 6/9 partial vision in the right eye.
On Monday, Imran underwent a third eye procedure at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims). In a statement issued by the hospital, the PTI founder was brought to Pims for a third dose of an anti-VEGF intra-vitreal injection.
Meanwhile, Imran’s family and personal doctors want him to be admitted to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad and have been demanding that his personal physicians be provided access to him.
Aleema further lamented that they were also not allowed to meet Imran on Eidul Fitr.
Her sister, Noreen Niazi decried that “there is no law in the country”.
“We have been coming here for so many days and there has been no damage to any public property,” she maintained, adding that allegations of the PTI “creating a law and order situation are wrong”.
Meanwhile, the party’s Islamabad chapter proposed a roadmap, saying that Imran’s release would not be possible without a comprehensive and well-coordinated strategy.
It should be mentioned that the party had announced that registrations for a movement to release Imran, who has been imprisoned since May 2023 would begin after Eid.
“A detailed and actionable plan has been submitted to Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, outlining a path toward achieving democratic stability and securing the release of Imran and other detainees,” PTI Islamabad Chapter President Amir Mughal told the media.
Mughal added that it would be difficult to overcome the current political challenges unless the party leadership presented a practical roadmap in line with the prevailing ground realities.
“The first and foremost point is accountability within the party. Without holding office-bearers and ticket holders accountable for their performance since Imran’s arrest, the movement cannot progress effectively. A transparent review process and the inclusion of energetic leadership can help restore confidence among supporters,” he said.