ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has issued a stark warning to the federal government, signaling plans to launch a major political movement after Eid-ul-Fitr aimed at securing the release of its founder, former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The party’s leadership has framed the government’s handling of Khan’s medical care as “criminal negligence,” escalating a long-running political and legal confrontation.
At a press conference in the capital, senior PTI figures, led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, declared the party’s readiness for mass mobilization. “We have temporarily moderated our political activities out of respect for the holy month of Ramazan,” CM Afridi stated. “But let there be no doubt: our preparations, passion, and spirit remain fully intact. We will not tolerate the continued mistreatment of our founder.” The PTI has repeatedly demanded Khan’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital for specialized care, claims the government has consistently rejected.
The core of the PTI’s accusation centers on access to medical treatment. “The PTI founder is not an ordinary citizen; he is a former prime minister of Pakistan,” Afridi asserted. “The government has both a legal and moral responsibility to ensure he receives proper medical treatment. The refusal to allow access to his personal doctors and family is a blatant violation of basic human rights and legal protocols.” Lawyer and senior leader Babar Awan went further, describing the secrecy around Khan’s condition as a “criminal act” and warning that officials would have “nowhere left to hide” if harm befell Khan due to inadequate care.
PTI leaders framed the health issue within a broader narrative of political persecution. Junaid Akbar Khan, a PTI stalwart, cited the recent disqualification of PTI senators and suppression of party workers as evidence of a widening crackdown. He also linked domestic tensions to foreign policy failures, particularly regarding complex relations with the Taliban administration in Afghanistan. “The government’s repression, coupled with a failing foreign policy, is creating tensions it may ultimately be unable to control,” he warned.
Former finance minister Taimur Jhagra argued that the PTI remains the sole political force steadfastly upholding the Constitution, suggesting the government’s conduct is eroding public trust in state institutions. MNA Shahid Khattak insisted the party’s concerns were genuine, not politicized. “We are not politicizing a health issue,” he said. “We are genuinely concerned about the risk of irreversible damage to the PTI founder’s health.”
The PTI’s ultimatum sets the stage for significant political unrest following the Eid holidays, with the party vowing to transition from warnings to action in its campaign for Imran Khan’s freedom.
Source: Dawn News