Pakistan Politics is once again on the boil, and this time the former Prime Minister and World Cup winning captain is at the centre. imran khan. The questions raised regarding the eyesight of Khan, lodged in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, have created a stir in the political, legal and sports world. His sisters have accused Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Army Chief of a murderous conspiracy. It has been claimed that Khan is not being given proper treatment and access to specialist doctors.
On the other hand, this issue was not limited to political circles only. 14 former cricket captains from several countries including India, Pakistan and Australia, who were once arch rivals on the field, are now united and demanding better medical treatment and transparent legal access to Imran Khan. This support has crossed the boundaries of cricket and has come in the form of a humanitarian appeal, which has brought this entire controversy into international headlines.
While the government is citing the medical board report and calling the situation normal, PTI supporters are terming it as ‘political vendetta’ and ‘planned pressure’. The question is also arising whether this is merely a matter of health or a new chapter in the bigger story of Pakistan’s power struggle? In the coming days, the resonance of this issue may become more intense in courts, streets and global platforms.
Why political battle over Imran Khan’s health?
Former Prime Minister of Pakistan and 1992 World Cup winning captain Imran Khan is in the headlines these days regarding his health. The claims of Khan, lodged in Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, about his eyesight deteriorating, have brought a new upheaval in the country’s politics. His party Pakistan Tehreek Insaf (PTI) has intensified the protests considering it serious, while the government has declared the situation normal citing the medical report.
Is Imran Khan’s eyesight really reduced to 15%?
PTI and Khan’s family claim that the vision in his right eye has deteriorated significantly and he is not being allowed to meet specialist doctors of his choice. However, according to the government medical board, his vision has improved with corrective glasses and the condition is under control.
What allegations were made against Shahbaz Sharif, Asim Munir and Mohsin Naqvi?
Khan’s sisters have made serious allegations against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Army Chief Asim Munir and Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi. He claimed that Khan was being treated inhumanely in jail and it could be part of a “murderous conspiracy”. The government has termed these allegations as political rhetoric.
While speaking to the media, Uzma Khan and Alima Khan specifically named Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi as part of this so-called ‘deadly’ plan.
He said that during his recent meeting with Imran Khan in Adiala jail, he had said, “If anything happens to me in jail, Asim Munir will be responsible.” Uzma Khan alleged that Pakistan’s Interior Minister Naqvi, who is also the Chief of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), was threatening her family.
Uzma Khan further said, “Mohsin Naqvi is threatening us; he has tasted blood and threatened to take revenge if any harm happens to his brother or him. If anything happens to Imran Khan or us, remember my words, we will not spare anyone’s future generations either.”
Alima Khan also shared an update about her brother’s health and said that his eyesight is weakening, but he is not being allowed to meet his trusted medical team.
What did the 14 former cricket captains demand?
World cricket legends, including India’s Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, England’s Mike Atherton; Australia’s Allan Border, Ian and Greg Chappell; Clive Lloyd of West Indies and John Wright of New Zealand are included. These personalities urged the Government of Pakistan to provide immediate and continuous medical care to Khan and ensure him transparent access to courts and the legal process.
What did the government say in the medical report?
After examination, a two-member medical board constituted by the government said that Khan’s eye condition was stable and there were signs of improvement. According to the report, his vision with corrective lenses was recorded near the normal range. Home Minister Naqvi said that the matter should not be “politicized”.
What is PTI’s ‘Imran Khan Release Force’?
PTI has announced the formation of “Imran Khan Release Force”, which will run a nationwide movement in his support. The opposition alliance is also protesting in Islamabad demanding better medical facilities and hospital shifts.
Did the Supreme Court also take cognizance?
The Supreme Court of Pakistan has called for a report regarding Khan’s condition in Adiala jail. This step has been taken amid increasing political pressure and health related claims.
Why did the family demand an immediate meeting?
This protest has been seen in Pakistan after the statement of a Supreme Court lawyer in which he said that Imran Khan’s eyesight is becoming weak. In the 7-page report, the lawyer said that 73-year-old Imran Khan is lodged in Adiala jail since 2023 and only 15 percent of the vision in his right eye is left. After this, Imran Khan’s family demanded to meet the former Prime Minister immediately, but their request was ignored.
According to the medical board, there has been a clear improvement in the vision of the right eye, which has gone from 6/36 to 6/9 partial. The vision in the left eye is within normal limits, and the tests have yielded satisfactory results. After wearing glasses, vision in the left eye was recorded as 6/6.
The questions raised regarding Imran Khan’s eyesight are no longer just a health issue, but have become the center of Pakistan’s politics. On one hand the family and supporters are alleging a serious conspiracy, while on the other hand the government is calling everything normal on the basis of the medical report.
Why did Imran Khan announce release force?
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced the formation of “Imran Khan Release Force”, which will work to get Khan released from jail. Former cricketer turned politician Imran is in jail since August 2023. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, an Imran loyalist, said he had been given the responsibility of leading the “street movement” by the jailed PTI founder.
Why did PTI cut off Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from the rest of Pakistan?
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s opposition alliance continued its protest in Islamabad demanding better health facilities for jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The protest is being led by Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ain Pakistan (TTAP), an alliance formed last year to oppose the country’s constitution. Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is its main force, while the alliance is led by Mahmood Khan Achakzai, a Pashtun tribal leader from Balochistan who is also the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly.
The group started protests at two places in Islamabad on Friday, including near the Parliament Building and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House, the official building of the provincial government in the capital. The protesters have vowed to continue their protest until Khan is shifted to a private hospital for specialist care. PTI has cut off Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province from the rest of the country by blocking roads and demanded that Khan be immediately shifted to a hospital and his doctors allowed to see him.
On what basis did the government reject the allegations?
Former minister Mohsin Naqvi told the media that the government had no intention of “politicizing” Khan’s health issue, while he accused the opposition of doing so. He said, “The medical report also came out yesterday, and according to it everything is clear. Neither we nor the government want to politicize this.” Based on the sources, it has been told that Shahbaz Sharif government can admit Imran to the hospital in the coming days. This development has happened when the Supreme Court had given instructions to the authorities on the application of Imran’s family.
Comments are closed.