ISLAMABAD — The opposition alliance’s sit-in over concerns about PTI founder Imran Khan’s health entered its fourth day on Monday, as authorities reopened roads leading to Parliament House early in the morning.
The protest was launched on Friday by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Tehreek Tahafuz-i-Ayeen Pakistan (TTAP) after the Supreme Court was informed that Imran Khan had only 15 percent vision remaining in his right eye. The disclosure prompted the opposition to demand his transfer for medical treatment.
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TTAP spokesperson Akhunzada Yousafzai termed the reopening of routes around Parliament House as unexpected and said the sit-in at Parliament Lodges would now merge with the main protest at Parliament House.
Protest locations consolidated
Initially, demonstrations were staged at three separate locations. The protest outside Parliament House was led by TTAP chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas. PTI lawmakers held a sit-in at Parliament Lodges, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi led a separate protest at KP House.
Yousafzai said the government was expected to submit a medical report on Imran Khan’s condition to the Supreme Court, which the alliance would review before deciding its next course of action. He added that the sit-in would continue until their demands were addressed.
Dispute over medical examination
Meanwhile, sources said a team of doctors visited Adiala Jail on Sunday and examined Imran Khan for about an hour. PTI rejected the examination, stating that it was conducted without the presence of his family members or personal doctors.
Earlier, PTI MNA Asad Qaiser said the party, along with the opposition alliance, would continue protests to press for Imran Khan’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad. He also confirmed that the party planned to approach the Supreme Court to seek medical relief.
A TTAP leader claimed that they had initially been informed of plans to shift Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital but later received indications that the protest should be called off first.
TTAP has also alleged that protesters inside Parliament House were denied access to food, water and medicines in the early days of the sit-in. Authorities have not issued a detailed response to these claims.
The protest continues amid heightened political tensions over the former prime minister’s health and access to medical care.
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