PTI vows no compromise over Imran Khan’s health and rights

Speaking on Tuesday, Jan said the presence of a large number of PTI parliamentarians outside the Supreme Court reflected the party’s determination

PESHAWAR: Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Shafi Jan has strongly criticised restrictions on meetings with former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan, saying the party will continue its legal, constitutional and political efforts to protect his health and fundamental rights.

Speaking on Tuesday, Jan said the presence of a large number of PTI parliamentarians outside the Supreme Court reflected the party’s determination to ensure that Imran Khan receives proper medical care and access to his family and doctors.

He described reports about the former prime minister’s health as deeply concerning and said denying him his constitutional and legal rights was unacceptable. Jan alleged that Imran Khan had been kept in detention through what the PTI considers politically motivated cases.

The minister said PTI would not remain silent and would continue pressing for appropriate medical treatment, access to personal physicians and meetings with family members. He particularly criticised the reported denial of permission for Imran Khan’s sisters to meet him, calling the restrictions a violation of constitutional and legal rights as well as court directives.

Jan said KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi had already warned that PTI lawmakers would gather outside Adiala Jail on Thursday if Imran Khan’s sisters were again prevented from meeting him.

Meanwhile, speaking to a private television channel on Monday, Afridi said the party had been left with little choice but to protest after its concerns were allegedly ignored by authorities. He rejected accusations that PTI was deliberately promoting unrest, arguing that protests would not have been necessary if the party’s grievances had been addressed.

Afridi claimed that Imran Khan was being held unlawfully and was being denied access to his family, lawyers and personal doctors. He said PTI had exhausted available constitutional and legal avenues and would therefore continue with peaceful demonstrations.

The chief minister maintained that peaceful protest was a constitutional right and urged authorities to listen to the party’s concerns.