ISLAMABAD: The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers staged a protest outside the Supreme Court on Monday, demanding that jailed former prime minister Imran Khan be transferred to a private hospital and allowed to receive visits from his personal physicians. A large number of parliamentarians, including MNAs and senators, participated in the protest. Interim PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Akhan and Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Raja Nasir Abbas led the protest, amid chants of “Free Imran Khan, Free Imran Khan.” Speaking to the media, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said that the lawmakers were gathered to remind the Chief Justice of Pakistan that, despite previous interventions, Khan’s personal physicians had not been allowed to meet with him in jail, and his family members had also been denied visitation rights. He pointed out that the Chief Justice had intervened twice in the past – first allowing Salman Safdar to meet Imran Khan, declaring him amicus curiae, and later issuing orders for his medical treatment. Raja emphasized that they were now requesting that Khan be transferred for treatment to a private hospital, specifically Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad. Shahid Khattak, PTI’s parliamentary leader, also addressed the media, reiterating the demand for the Chief Justice to follow through on earlier decisions regarding Khan’s medical care. He noted that although a decision had been made, the written order had yet to be issued. He expressed concern that the delay in the written judgment was causing uncertainty. He also mentioned that a report submitted by Barrister Salman Safdar had not been scheduled for hearing, and no proceedings had been arranged to review or discuss the report. He urged the Supreme Court to issue the written order and direct the authorities to transfer Khan to a hospital with his personal physicians. Other lawmakers joined in, demanding that the Chief Justice take notice of the situation, asserting that Khan’s fundamental and constitutional rights had been violated. They lamented that figures such as the Zardaris and Sharifs had a history of travelling abroad for even minor medical issues, while Khan, who had dedicated his life to the country, was being denied the right to receive treatment within Pakistan. The lawmakers further pointed out the Supreme Court’s track record of intervening in political matters, including instances where political leaders claimed to be unwell while in detention. They referenced the case of Nawaz Sharif, who was allowed to travel abroad for medical treatment, as an example of the court’s involvement in such matters. They argued that if Nawaz Sharif could be sent abroad for treatment, then why should Imran Khan be denied medical care in Pakistan. They warned that if Khan’s health, particularly his eye condition, were to deteriorate further, every institution involved including the judiciary would be held responsible. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026