ISLAMABAD: The sit-in protest by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its allies stretched into its fourth day on Monday, as demonstrators vowed to continue their rally until former Prime Minister Imran Khan is transferred to a hospital for urgent medical treatment.
The protesters dismissed a report by a government-appointed medical team, which claimed that, unaided, Imran Khan’s right eye had 6/24 partial vision and 6/9 vision in the left.
The report stated that with glasses, the ex-premier’s vision was 6/9 partial in the right eye and 6/6 in the left.
However, PTI rejected the inspection, citing the absence of Khan’s family and personal physicians, calling the report “malicious.”
The protest, initially organised outside Parliament House, continues to gain momentum.
Demonstrators have vowed to remain until Khan is moved to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad, a facility of their choosing.
Key PTI lawmakers, including the opposition leader in National Assembly Mehmood Khan Achakzai and his counterpart in Senate Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, are leading the sit-in, further escalating the political pressure on the government.
However, the party called off sit-ins at Parliament Lodges and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) House, with KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and former Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur returning to Peshawar along with party MPAs.
Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Aayin-e-Pakistan (TTAP), an opposition ally, has pledged to continue the protests until Khan is transferred to Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad.
Achakzai reaffirmed the commitment following a meeting with PTI parliamentarians, stressing that the protests would persist until Khan receives specialised care under the supervision of his family and medical team.
The sources said that it was decided in the meeting chaired by Achakzai, CM Afridi and PTI lawmakers, that ongoing sit-in inside Parliament would be extended to other parts of the country if Khan is not transferred to a
hospital of his choice and provided with medical treatment in the presence of his personal physicians and family.
In the meeting, the PTI leadership raised concerns over the adequacy of Khan’s eye treatment, particularly after a recent medical check-up.
They rejected the government’s proposal to transfer Khan to Al-Shifa Eye Trust Hospital, fearing a lack of oversight from his personal doctors.
Both PTI and TTAP strongly criticised the government’s refusal to allow Khan’s personal medical team to examine him.
At a press conference, PTI leaders questioned the validity of the medical reports issued by jail authorities, calling them false and misleading.
Speaking at a press conference, TTAP spokesman Akhnzada Hussain emphasised that the protests are not only about Khan’s medical care but also about broader grievances with the current government, which they deem “illegitimate.”
Talking to reporters, CM Afridi condemned the inspection conducted without the presence of Khan’s relatives as “malicious,” pointing out discrepancies in the medical reports and accusing the government of fabricating information.
“We have seen fake reports before, particularly regarding platelets. If Khan’s health is fine, why is the government refusing to allow his personal doctors and family to meet him,” Afridi questioned, arguing that the government’s refusal to provide proper medical care was undermining public trust.
Afridi confirmed that PTI is preparing for further protests if Khan’s medical needs are not addressed. “We initially focused on peaceful sit-ins outside Parliament, but now the movement is spreading,” he said.
Meanwhile, PTI leader Ahmad Niaz, who is leading a protest at Swabi interchange, expressed frustration over what he called a “denial of justice.”
“They fabricated cases against Imran Khan, put him in jail, and now they are refusing to treat his eye properly. We’ve exhausted every avenue – parliament, courts, and peaceful protests – but received no response,” Niaz said.
Sources from the Swabi Interchange report that the number of protesters is steadily increasing, with more citizens from across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa joining the demonstration.
As the protest drags on, PTI leaders have made it clear that they will not relent until Khan is allowed to receive appropriate medical care under the supervision of his family and personal doctors. The sit-in will continue until their demands are met, the declared.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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