Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) escalated protests amid concerns over the former prime minister’s eyesight, blocking the key route connecting Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and staging a sit-in near the Parliament in Islamabad. It came as Imran’s sisters claimed he was being subjected to “unimaginable mistreatment” in prison and accused interior minister and PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi of threatening them.
The new protests come weeks after a Supreme Court-appointed lawyer said the former World Cup-winning Pakistani skipper was going blind while in jail. He filed a seven-page report detailing how the political leader, who has been detained in Adiala Jail since 2023, was left with just 15% vision in his right eye. The report also mentioned that Imran’s family had sought immediate access to the former prime minister, but their requests have fallen on deaf ears so far.
Protests and Furore
Protests and tensions have been running high since the Supreme Court lawyer levelled the allegations. All hell broke loose on Wednesday as thousands of Imran Khan supporters and PTI workers occupied the Attock Bridge, isolating Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from the rest of the country. This led to chaos, with hundreds of vehicles stranded in long queues for hours.
Imran Khan’s Sisters Blame Asim Munir and Naqvi
Imran Khan’s sisters have added to the furore, claiming in a press conference on Tuesday that Asim Munir and Mohsin Naqvi were part of a lethal conspiracy to kill Imran in custody. Before these fresh protests, his sisters had detailed how their brother was being kept in isolation, bereft of the amenities ordered by the court while he remains jailed.
What Doctors Said on Imran Khan
The government’s refusal to allow a family representative during Imran’s medical evaluation further aggravated the standoff. On Monday, the medical board stated that there was improvement in Imran Khan’s eyesight. Media reports suggest that one of the doctors also held discussions with Asim Yusuf, Imran’s personal physician.
Why the Protests Have Erupted Afresh
This is the second time in the last two months that protests have rocked Pakistan. In November, PTI workers had clashed with security forces for over two days in Rawalpindi amid rumours that Imran was killed inside Adiala Jail, where he has been lodged since August 2023. The earlier protests ended after one of his sisters was allowed to meet him.
