Business Recorder
ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly descended into commotion on Friday as opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers confronted the government over the deteriorating health of former prime minister Imran Khan, demanding immediate access to the imprisoned leader and his transfer to a hospital of his choice. Speaking on a point of order, opposition leader in National Assembly Mehmood Khan Achakzai criticised the government, bluntly asking when officials would arrange a meeting with Khan and when the former prime minister would receive proper medical care. “It should be clearly stated when this meeting will take place and when Khan will be transferred for treatment,” he declared, warning that continued government intransigence could trigger unrest in Parliament on Monday. “If the government continues to block meetings with Imran Khan, we will bring Parliament to a complete halt,” he added. Achakzai was specially chosen by Khan to lead his party – the PTI – in the National Assembly. Achakzai did not stop there. In a veiled critique of recent law enforcement actions, he referred to the sensational arrest of Karachi’s notorious drug dealer, Pinky, calling it a “Pinky shinky drama” aimed at tightening the political noose around the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). “If the government continues to spoil the atmosphere of this House and fails to respond to reasonable demands, it should not later complain about unrest or instability,” he said. Backing Achakzai, acting PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan emphasised that the opposition sought justice for Khan, highlighting repeated attempts to engage the judiciary on his behalf. “We approached the Supreme Court 15 times and the Islamabad High Court 24 times, yet justice has remained elusive. Neither the courts nor the NA speaker-enforced SOPs are being respected,” he lamented. In what PTI lawmakers called a perfunctory response, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said Imran Khan was receiving all medical facilities “as per the jail manual.” “Khan is being taken to the hospital for timely treatment, and arrangements are being made for meetings. The government is fulfilling its responsibilities regarding his rights,” he said. Khan, who has been barred for months from meeting his family, lawyers, or party leaders, remains isolated. The minister offered little beyond a defence of this restriction, pointing instead to a meeting with court-appointed “Friend of the Court” Salman Safdar. He emphasised that Safdar had met Khan and reportedly expressed satisfaction with the conditions – a statement that did little to address concerns over the former prime minister’s prolonged isolation. The opposition remained unconvinced. PTI MNA Asad Qaiser warned that if Khan’s treatment and access were delayed, their continued participation in parliamentary proceedings would be futile. Amid the political storm, the House witnessed an eyebrow-raising revelation when PTI MNA from Balochistan Adil Khan Bazai claimed that the Deputy Commissioner of Quetta had inappropriately sent him the phone number of a young woman, urging a meeting. “When did it become the DC’s duty to distribute women’s numbers,” Bazai asked, prompting shock from fellow members. The session began in disarray, with procedural confusion quickly taking centre stage. PTI lawmaker Iqbal Afridi repeatedly questioned whether a quorum was present, a concern the chair initially dismissed as proceedings continued. Afridi’s persistence ultimately compelled a formal count of members, temporarily halting proceedings until the quorum was confirmed. Amid these dramatic confrontations, legislative business continued. The Pakistan International Airlines Corporation (Conversion) (Repeal) Ordinance, 2026, which had already been placed before the Senate on 12 May 2026, was laid before the National Assembly. The Insurance Bill, 2026 – a bill to regulate the insurance business, protect policyholders’ interests, and promote the sound development of the industry – was also presented, along with related matters. Additionally, a report of the Standing Committee on the Financial Institutions was also laid before the House. With this, the House was adjourned until Monday at 5pm. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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