Opposition leaders in the National Assembly and the Senate on Friday reiterated calls for access to incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan, threatening to launch protests from Monday if they did not receive a conclusive answer from the government.
Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai issued two demands, warning lawmakers would otherwise make it difficult to continue proceedings from Monday. He said the government should clearly state when Khan could next meet members of his family and should also answer as to whether the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder would be administered medical treatment of his choice.
Similarly, PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan said the party founder had been imprisoned for nearly three years, lamenting the agreed procedures and court-directed SOPs were not being implemented in practice. “We have gone to the Supreme Court 15 times and to the High Court 24 times, but we have not received justice from the courts,” he said, emphasizing the party wanted justice for its leadership.
In a statement on X commenting on the opposition’s remarks, State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry strongly rejected the “misleading and baseless propaganda” regarding Khan’s health, maintaining claims circulating on social media were “contrary to verified medical facts.”
He reiterated that a senior medical board comprising specialists—including eye specialists, cardiologists, ENT experts, dental surgeons, and others—examines Khan regularly. “All treatment is conducted strictly under international medical standards,” he said, adding Khan had undergone multiple eye treatments at PIMS Islamabad under the supervision of specialists. “The reality is that perhaps no prisoner in Pakistan’s history has received such facilities. His eye has not been damaged,” he added.
Senate
Also on Friday, the Senate saw similar discussions on Khan. Leader of the Opposition Senator Raja Nasir Abbas claimed political victimization and denial of rights were pushing the country deeper into crisis. “By jailing political workers, we are shooting ourselves in the foot,” he said, calling for the formation of a bipartisan Senate committee to meet Khan and other political prisoners. “Let everyone stand against whoever is stopping us from visiting jails,” he said.
PTI Senator Azam Swati reiterated his party’s claims of Khan losing “sight in one eye,” and called for ensuring the basic human rights of both Khan and Bushra. “We need to unite at this time. Inhumane treatment is never justified,” he said.
In response, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said the government had consistently attempted to resolve issues through dialogue, but certain political attitudes had hindered any progress. He said both Khan and Bushra were receiving the best medical treatment, adding meetings in jail were regulated under a mechanism approved by the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
Sanaullah said the arrangement allowed meetings twice a week, with the PTI assuring the court no political messaging or media campaigns would result from the same. However, he said, this understanding was violated through press conferences and international campaigns targeting state institutions. “Campaigns targeting state institutions and their heads were carried out abroad. Evidence regarding such activities can be presented whenever required,” he claimed.
He also rejected the opposition’s proposal for a bipartisan committee, saying there was no legal provision allowing such interference in executive matters related to prison administration. He said legal and judicial forums already existed for complaints regarding prison conditions or access.