KARACHI (HRNW)-Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Barrister Salman Akram Raja has expressed serious concern over reports about the health of party founder Imran Khan and demanded that he be shifted to a hospital immediately for a comprehensive medical examination and treatment.
Barrister Salman Akram made the remarks during a meeting with PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh in Karachi on Wednesday. The meeting discussed the country’s political situation, Imran Khan’s release and health, the Sept 27 protest and the wheat crisis, among other issues.
PTI Karachi President Raja Azhar, central leader Aftab Jahangir, General Secretary Karachi Arsalan Khalid, Sindh leaders Jamal Siddiqui, MPAs Sajid Ali Khan and Wajid Ali Khan, Sindh spokesperson Mohammad Ali Baloch and other party leaders attended the meeting.
Speaking to the media, Barrister Salman Akram said unverified reports about Imran Khan’s health had caused widespread concern and stressed that there could be “no compromise” on his health.
“The entire nation is concerned about reports regarding Imran Khan’s health. The demand of the people is that he should immediately be shifted to a hospital,” he said.
He said the party had approached the courts over reports concerning Imran Khan’s health and that a meeting with the Supreme Court registrar had been held the previous day, where the party was assured that the relevant cases would be fixed for hearing next week.
Barrister Salman Akram said cases concerning access to and meetings with Imran Khan were also pending before the courts. He expressed hope that the alarming reports about Mr Khan’s health would prove to be incorrect, but said the problem with his eye persisted and that he had not received adequate treatment.
He alleged that Imran Khan had effectively been kept in solitary confinement for a prolonged period and said restrictions on meetings with his family and party leadership were a matter of grave concern.
“The health and safety of Imran Khan are a matter of concern for millions of Pakistanis. He is a political leader of the nation, he said, demanding that his health, safety and basic human rights be ensured and that he be provided complete and quality medical care.
Barrister Salman Akram also called for the immediate removal of what he described as unnecessary restrictions on meetings with the PTI founder.
Sept 27 protest
Speaking about the planned Sept 27 protest, Barrister Salman Akram said people from across Pakistan, and not just Islamabad, would take to the streets for their rights and the supremacy of the Constitution and law.
“The Sept 27 protest will become the voice of Pakistan. Peaceful demonstrations will be held in every province and district,” he said.
He said Sohail Afridi would lead the Sept 27 long march and described the planned mobilisation as a nationwide movement.
“Raising our voice for our rights is our constitutional right. The nation will have to come out for the supremacy of the Constitution and law and for Imran Khan’s release,” he said.
Barrister Salman Akram aja said the deteriorating economy, inflation and unemployment had made life increasingly difficult for the people.
‘Where did millions of tonnes of wheat disappear?’
Commenting on the wheat crisis, the PTI secretary general accused what he called the “Form 47 governments” of depriving people of their basic food needs.
He questioned the government’s claims that sufficient wheat was available in the country, saying the reported shortage was alarming despite Punjab producing around 22 million tonnes of wheat.
“The disappearance of millions of tonnes of wheat from national stocks raises serious questions,” he said, referring to reports that 4.5 million tonnes had disappeared from Punjab and another 600,000 tonnes from Sindh.
He demanded that the government explain where the missing wheat had gone and in which warehouses it had been stored.
Barrister Salman Akram alleged that hoarding was creating an artificial shortage of wheat in the market and said corruption in the system was forcing people to bear the consequences in the form of hunger, inflation and unemployment.
Speaking on the occasion, PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh said the entire nation was worried about Imran Khan’s health.
“Imran Khan is fighting for the rights of this country and its people and remains in the hearts of the nation,” he said.
Haleem Adil heikh accused the “Form 47” government of exploiting national resources and urged people to become politically aware and raise their voices for their rights.
He alleged that corruption had become entrenched in Sindh, where the Pakistan Peoples Party had been in power for 18 years, while people continued to remain deprived of adequate healthcare, education and other basic facilities.
“The PPP has turned Karachi into a garbage dump,” he alleged.
Haleem Adil Sheikh also questioned the reported disappearance of millions of tonnes of wheat despite government claims that sufficient stocks were available in Sindh and demanded answers over the shortage and alleged hoarding.
Issued by: Adviser and Spokesperson, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Sindh.
