Islamabad: The main opposition coalition, Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-i-Ayin-i-Pakistan (TTAP), is now on the third day of its sit-in at Parliament House, pressing for the transfer of PTI founder Imran Khan to a hospital of his personal doctors’ choice due to concerns over his deteriorating eye health.
The Supreme Court (SC) was informed on February 12 that Imran Khan’s right eye has only 15 percent vision remaining. In response, TTAP announced it would maintain the sit-in until their demands regarding medical care are fully met.
Although government officials had hinted on Saturday that Imran, currently held at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, would be moved to a hospital soon, no progress had been reported by Sunday morning.
Visuals shared by PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan show TTAP leaders, including Chairman Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, MNA Asad Qaiser, and Senator Faisal Javed, seated at Parliament House in protest.
A TTAP leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Dawn that negotiations with the government have become increasingly complicated.
“Last night we were informed that Imran Khan would be shifted to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad. However, we requested changes in the medical board to include doctors of our choice, which we believe signals that the government is yielding to pressure. We submitted additional names of trusted doctors, agreeing not to disclose them publicly,” the leader said.
He added, “Today we are receiving messages suggesting the sit-in be called off before any hospital transfer or medical board announcement. How can we end the protest without seeing our demands implemented?”
The TTAP leader also mentioned that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, currently holding a sit-in at KP House in Islamabad, reached out to government officials to warn that the situation could escalate if not addressed.
Government sources reportedly stated that the Interior Minister is in Sri Lanka, while the National Assembly and Senate leadership are also abroad, complicating decision-making on the matter.
TTAP Spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain Yousafzai emphasized that the sit-in will continue until their demands are met. He criticized authorities for allegedly preventing breakfast deliveries inside Parliament House, raising health concerns for diabetic leaders.
“It is worrying that some participants could faint due to lack of food and sugar control. If the government were serious, they would take confidence-building measures and show flexibility,” Yousafzai added.