Thousands of supporters of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan intensified nationwide protests on Wednesday, blocking the crucial Attock Bridge and effectively cutting off Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from the rest of Pakistan. The demonstrations escalated following growing concerns over Khan’s deteriorating health, particularly his eyesight, after a Supreme Court-appointed lawyer reported that the jailed leader was at risk of losing his vision.
The protests, led by Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), also included a sit-in near Pakistan’s Parliament in Islamabad, as opposition groups rallied to demand improved medical care for the former prime minister. Protesters called for Khan to be immediately shifted from Adiala Jail, where he has been held since 2023, to Islamabad’s Shifa International Hospital for specialised treatment. The blockade caused severe traffic disruptions, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded for hours and intensifying political tensions across the country.
The unrest gained momentum after a seven-page report submitted by a court-appointed lawyer claimed that the 73-year-old leader retained only about 15 per cent vision in his right eye. Khan’s family has repeatedly demanded unrestricted access to him, alleging that authorities have ignored their requests. His sons have also stated that visa applications to visit their father have not been approved, further fuelling public anger among supporters.
Adding to the controversy, Khan’s sisters accused senior government and military figures of subjecting him to severe mistreatment in custody. During a press conference, they alleged a “lethal conspiracy” against him and directly blamed Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Army Chief Asim Munir for his worsening health condition. The accusations deepened the political confrontation, reflecting longstanding tensions between Khan and Pakistan’s military leadership.
Government officials, however, have rejected claims of medical negligence. A government-appointed medical board stated that Khan’s eyesight had shown noticeable improvement, with doctors reporting that he could now see objects more clearly than in previous weeks. PTI leaders and Khan’s family dismissed these findings, arguing that independent medical access and family supervision were still being denied.
The issue has drawn international attention as well, with several former international cricket legends appealing to Pakistan’s authorities to ensure that Khan receives adequate and timely medical treatment. The current agitation marks the second major wave of protests in two months linked to concerns about Khan’s health, following earlier clashes between PTI supporters and security forces sparked by rumours about his condition in prison.
As demonstrations continue and political rhetoric intensifies, Khan’s health has emerged as a new flashpoint in Pakistan’s already polarised political landscape, raising fears of prolonged instability and further confrontations between supporters and the state.
