Senior leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, staged a sit-in at the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Friday to express concern over the health of the party’s imprisoned founder and restrictions on family and medical access.
The PTI leadership remained seated within the Supreme Court premises for several hours, saying the protest was aimed at seeking transparency regarding the founder’s medical condition and ensuring access to his family and personal physician. Party leaders described the sit-in as a constitutional and peaceful protest after repeated requests went unanswered.
Engagement with legal authorities
PTI leader Salman Akram Raja said he remained in continuous contact with the Attorney General of Pakistan and Supreme Court officials during the protest. He added that meetings were also held with Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi and the attorney general.
Raja emphasized that the issue was not political in nature but purely humanitarian, centered on access to the party founder during imprisonment, particularly in light of growing concerns about his health.
He said authorities informed PTI that the medical report would be handed over to the founder’s sisters in a sealed envelope. According to Raja, the family would decide after reviewing the report whether the treatment being provided was satisfactory. He added that PTI has been seeking permission since the previous day for the founder to meet his personal doctor.
Chief Minister raises alarm
Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said it was deeply concerning that state institutions appeared unresponsive, warning that the situation was being pushed toward a point where broader consequences could follow.
He urged institutions to resolve the matter within the bounds of the constitution and the law. Afridi said PTI leaders were waiting for approval to meet the doctors but continued to receive negative responses. He clarified that the founder had not raised political issues and had only conveyed information related to his health.
Afridi added that if lawful access is denied, the constitution and the law grant PTI the right to stage peaceful protests.
Call for resolution
PTI leaders appealed to authorities to allow the founder to meet his personal physician and family members, reiterating that their actions were based on humanitarian concerns and constitutional rights. The party said it would continue to pursue the matter through legal and constitutional means.
