ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Salman Akram Raja has alleged that the government kept the hospitalization and eye surgery of Imran Khan a secret for several days, accusing officials of a “deliberate cover-up.”
Speaking to the media outside the Supreme Court alongside Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, Raja claimed that the former prime minister Imran Khan was shifted from Adiala Jail Rawalpindi to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) under a veil of secrecy on Saturday evening.
Allegations of Secrecy and Deception
Raja stated that the government circles “lied for five days” regarding the health of the PTI founder Imran Khan. It was only after official confirmation on Thursday that PTI leadership and medical staff were able to verify the situation.
“Imran Khan’s family was never informed why he was being moved to the hospital,” Raja said. “His personal physician, Dr. Asim, and an eye specialist, Dr. Khurram, only reached Adiala Jail yesterday after the government finally admitted to the medical procedure.”
The Information Minister, Attaullah Tarar, later confirmed that a 20-minute medical procedure for an eye ailment was performed on the night of January 24, asserting that the PTI founder Imran Khan is now “absolutely healthy.”
Protest at the Supreme Court
The PTI leadership has turned the health issue into a broader demand for fundamental rights. Salman Akram Raja highlighted the presence of around 200 parliamentarians outside the Supreme Court in a show of solidarity.
Decision to Sit-In: The PTI leaders announced they would remain at the Supreme Court until Imran Khan’s basic human rights are guaranteed.
Legal Roadblocks: Raja noted that despite filing 16 applications with the Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court, no action has been taken.
Attempted Meeting with CJP: Raja and Latif Khosa attempted to meet Chief Justice Yahya Afridi; however, the CJP was not in his chamber. They instead met with the Registrar to convey their concerns.
Key Points of the PTI Stance
| Issue | PTI Allegation / Action |
| Hospitalization | Shifted secretly to PIMS on Saturday night for eye surgery. |
| Transparency | Family and party were kept in the dark for 5 days. |
| Human Rights | Alleged denial of basic rights to a former Prime Minister Imran Khan. |
| Legal Action | Meeting with the Registrar (acting as Session Judge) to report the situation. |
Raja warned that if fundamental rights are denied to the PTI founder Imran Khan, “then no one in the country will be safe.”