ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and former finance minister Miftah Ismail have announced that their party, Awaam Pakistan, will join the sit-in organised by Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Aayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) outside Parliament House on Friday.
The two leaders shared their decision on social media platform X, stating that Awaam Pakistan would fully participate in the peaceful protest after Friday prayers. According to their statement, the sit-in is being held in response to concerns over the health of former prime minister Imran Khan, particularly reports that he has lost significant vision in one eye and is not being allowed access to his personal doctors and family members.
In their message, Abbasi and Ismail said that denying any prisoner proper and timely medical treatment is unethical, inhumane, and against the law. They emphasized that Imran Khan is not only a former prime minister but also the leader of the country’s largest political party, and therefore deserves appropriate medical care under the law.
The announcement follows claims made in the Supreme Court that Imran Khan’s right eye reportedly retains only 15 percent vision. Leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) strongly reacted to the development and declared the protest to demand immediate medical attention for their party founder.
Dr Zafar Mirza, central spokesperson for Awaam Pakistan, also expressed concern, stating that Imran Khan’s eyesight could be at serious risk without urgent treatment. He said the party would remain part of the peaceful protest until he receives the medical care he is legally entitled to.
The opposition alliance says the protest is aimed at safeguarding constitutional rights and ensuring that legal and humanitarian standards are upheld.
Moreover, Heavy security blanketed Islamabad’s Red Zone on Friday as an opposition alliance marched toward Parliament House, demanding immediate access to former prime minister Imran Khan and clarity over his reported deteriorating eyesight.
Tension Rises in the Capital
The protest, led by the Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ain Pakistan (TTAP), began moving toward D-Chowk amid tight security arrangements. Police sealed key routes, blocked Constitution Avenue at Radio Pakistan Chowk, and shut the main gates of Parliament House. Armoured vehicles were stationed nearby, while lawmakers inside parliamentary lodges reportedly found themselves unable to exit.
The demonstration follows claims made before the Supreme Court that Imran Khan has lost significant vision in his right eye while in custody. Advocate Salman Safdar told the bench, citing a medical report commissioned by the court, that only 15% vision remains in the eye, attributing the damage to complications during imprisonment.
The revelation triggered sharp criticism from opposition figures, who accused the government of failing to safeguard the health of a former head of government.
