Pakistan opposition sit-in enters third day over Imran Khan’s health

An opposition sit-in over the health of jailed former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan entered its third day on Sunday outside Parliament House, as allies demanded his immediate transfer to a hospital under the supervision of his family and personal physicians.

The protest is led by the opposition coalition Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Ayin-e-Pakistan, which includes Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Leaders said the demonstration would continue until Khan is moved from Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail for specialized eye treatment.

The sit-in followed a report submitted to the Supreme Court of Pakistan by a lawyer appointed as a “friend of the court,” who visited Khan earlier this month. The report said the 73-year-old has suffered severe vision loss in his right eye due to central retinal vein occlusion, leaving him with only 15% sight in the affected eye.

Opposition leaders have demanded Khan’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital, saying treatment should begin immediately in the presence of his personal doctors and at least one family member.

Government officials said Saturday that authorities had decided to shift Khan to a hospital and form a medical board for his eye treatment. As of Sunday morning, opposition leaders said no transfer had taken place.

PTI warned the government against moving Khan or starting treatment without informing his family and physicians. In a statement issued late Saturday, the party said any such action would violate the constitution and jail rules.

PTI rejected “any form of secrecy” surrounding Khan’s health and said examinations and treatment must be conducted transparently, under independent supervision and at hospitals recommended by the party.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the government prioritizes humanitarian considerations and legal requirements. “Providing facilities to every prisoner in accordance with the law is the government’s responsibility,” he said in a social media post.

Opposition leaders at the sit-in said they had been told Khan might be shifted either to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad or Al-Shifa Hospital, but raised objections to the proposed composition of a medical board. They said they would not call off the protest without implementation of their demands.

TTAP spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain Yousafzai said the sit-in would continue, alleging police restrictions on delivering food inside Parliament House for opposition leaders.

Earlier, Khan’s sister Aleema Khanum said the family would not accept any medical board formed without the approval of Khan’s personal doctors, or any treatment carried out in the absence of family members.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said a day earlier that Khan would receive further treatment from leading eye specialists at a specialized medical facility, and that a detailed report would be submitted to the Supreme Court. He urged all sides to avoid politicizing the issue.

Separately, Khan’s lawyers filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court seeking suspension of a Dec. 20, 2025 conviction in a graft case involving state gifts. The petition argues that continued incarceration during the appeal would result in a grave miscarriage of justice and seeks suspension of the sentence until the appeal is decided.

Khan was removed from office by a parliamentary vote in April 2022 and has been jailed since August 2023 following convictions in multiple cases that he and PTI describe as politically motivated.