In partnership with
Profit
OPPOSITION STAGES PARLIAMENT SIT-IN OVER IMRAN’S HEALTH, GOVT DENIES NEGLIGENCE Saturday, 14 February, 2026 | 25 Sha’ban, 1447
g
g
RED ZONE LOCKED DOWN AS PTI LAUNCHES SIT-IN OVER IMRAN’S EYESIGHT LOSS PTI DEMANDS WRITTEN SUPREME COURT ORDER FOR MEDICAL ACCESS
g
g
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 221 | 8 Pages | Lahore Edition
GOVT REJECTS NEGLIGENCE CLAIMS, ASSURES ‘TREATMENT OF CHOICE’ PROTEST WIDENS AS AWAAM PAKISTAN JOINS OPPOSITION CAMP
Senate erupts as resolution on Imran’s health rejected ISLAMABAD
staff report
A
ISLAMABAD Mian abrar
day after claims surfaced that jailed PTI founder Imran Khan has lost most of the vision in his right eye, the opposition alliance Tehreek Tahafuz-iAyeen Pakistan (TTAP) launched a sit-in outside Parliament House on Friday, vowing to continue until he is shifted for specialised treatment. The protest followed submissions before the Supreme Court of Pakistan stating that Imran’s right eye retained only 15 per cent vision. In response, TTAP announced it would stage a sit-in demanding his transfer to Al-Shifa Hospital. The capital’s Red Zone was sealed on Friday as heavy police contingents
blocked lawmakers from approaching Parliament House amid a sit-in by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) over the alleged neglect of jailed party founder Imran Khan’s eye ailment. Barriers were erected at Radio Pakistan Chowk, halting movement towards Shahrah-e-Dastoor and Parliament House, while police also shut the gates of the Parliament Lodges as PTI lawmakers attempted to join the protest. The demonstration follows a report submitted to the Supreme Court of Pakistan by PTI counsel Salman Safdar after visiting Adiala jail as amicus curiae. Safdar had informed the court that the former premier had been left with only 15 per cent vision in his right eye. Speaking outside Parliament, PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan said he had
Qureshi slams Punjab govt over prisoners’ medical neglect, warns on Imran Khan’s eyesight LAHORE
staff report
Senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Friday criticised the Punjab government and jail authorities over the alleged denial of medical facilities and basic rights to prisoners, following reports regarding former prime minister Imran Khan’s deteriorating eye condition. The Supreme Court has been informed that only 15% of Imran Khan’s vision remains in his right eye. The information was conveyed by PTI counsel Salman Safdar in a report commissioned by the apex court, which cited the former premier as saying that he had been left with only 15% vision due to medical complications. Upon receiving the report, the court ordered that Imran be granted access to his personal physicians while in Adiala Jail and allowed telephone contact with his sons. Speaking informally to the media during his appearance at an anti-terrorism court in Lahore, Qureshi stressed that prisoners are entitled to certain rights, including timely medical treatment, which he said is the responsibility of the jail administration. He expressed sorrow over Imran Khan’s partial loss of sight, saying he was deeply saddened and could do nothing beyond offering prayers. Holding the Punjab government accountable, Qureshi warned that if any inmate were to lose eyesight in Adiala Jail, the prison administration and provincial authorities would bear responsibility. He alleged that former Punjab minister Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed was unable to attend a scheduled hospital check-up due to the unavailability of police security and jail guards.
The Senate plunged into chaos on Friday after a resolution concerning the health of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan was rejected, triggering fierce protests from opposition lawmakers. Members of the opposition stormed the space before the chairman’s dais, chanting slogans against the government and accusing it of subjecting a high-profile prisoner to inhumane treatment. The uproar followed claims made a day earlier by PTI counsel Barrister Salman Safdar that Imran’s right eye had been left with only 15 per cent vision due to delayed medical care. Responding during the session, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah rejected the allegations, asserting that the PTI founding chairman first complained about an eye issue in early January — contradicting the party’s claim
“barely managed” to reach the building. “Parliamentarians are being stopped; I somehow managed to reach parliament,” he said, announcing the start of the sit-in. Gohar warned that if the party was not permitted to protest at the designated
that he had been raising concerns for four months. Sanaullah maintained that medical treatment was provided without delay and was fully documented. He said jail doctors examine Imran every second day as part of routine care and that medical boards had reviewed his condition 25 times. He added there was no mention of any eye ailment during a medical board meeting on December 9, 2025. The adviser further noted that when Imran’s lawyers met him on December 20 following the ToshakhanaII case verdict, no eye-related complaint was raised. “If PTI has any suggestions regarding his medical care, it should approach the Supreme Court of Pakistan,” he said, assuring that any directives issued by the apex court would be implemented. Sanaullah also claimed that a report submitted to the court indicated the former premier was satisfied with prison conditions.
site, demonstrations would spread nationwide. “We want to steer matters in the right direction. If the situation slips from our hands, the government will not be able to control it,” he cautioned.
CoNtiNued oN Page 03
Withholding imran Khan’s medical care would be criminal negligence, says Sanaullah ISLAMABAD
staff report
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz senator Rana Sanaullah has said that any deliberate delay or denial of medical treatment to incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan would amount to criminal negligence and could not be defended. Addressing the Senate, the prime minister’s adviser on political and public affairs responded to opposition concerns regarding Khan’s reported eye condition. He noted that the matter had already been clarified before the Supreme Court and urged political actors not to turn health issues into a political contest. His remarks followed claims in a medical report submitted to the apex court stating that Khan’s vision in his right eye had declined to 15 percent. The seven-page document was filed by PTI counsel Salman Safdar after a three-hour meeting with the former prime minister at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. Sanaullah rejected assertions that Khan had been complaining about the issue for four months without receiving care. He told the House that the first complaint regarding the eye was raised in the first week of January. According to him, jail doctors immedi-
PTI founder to be transferred to new Islamabad prison: Naqvi ISLAMABAD
staff Correspondent
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has confirmed that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan will be transferred to the new Islamabad Jail following his sentencing by the Islamabad High Court. Naqvi told the media that the government is developing a modern prison system in the capital, integrating healthcare, treatment, and rehabilitation services in a single facility. A state-of-the-art hospital is being constructed inside the jail, equipped to treat various illnesses with dedicated specialised departments. The initiative aims to ensure inmates receive proper medical care without the need for repeated external transfers. Once the new Islamabad Jail is fully operational, expected within two months, Khan will be moved there. The facility will house all essential medical and rehabilitation services on-site. Mohsin Naqvi reviews progress on Islamabad Model Jail project near completion The move follows a report submitted to the Supreme Court by PTI counsel Salman Safdar, who was appointed amicus curiae to visit Adiala Jail and assess Khan’s condition. The report came after the former premier disclosed that he had lost approximately 85% of vision in his right eye. Safdar’s visit to Adiala Jail took place on February 11, in line with the court’s directives. Speaking at a passing-out ceremony for Islamabad Police, Naqvi described the day as significant for the federal police. He highlighted the accelerated training of officers in counter-terrorism operations, noting that a six-month course had been completed in just three months. The upgraded training facilities in Islamabad will also accommodate trainees from other regions, strengthening the force’s overall capability. Naqvi expressed confidence in the newly trained officers, emphasising that a strong and well-prepared local police force is essential to tackling security challenges effectively.
Direct air link between Moscow and Islamabad under discussion at OIC moot ISLAMABAD news desk
ately prescribed eye drops, which were used for several days. He said Khan was examined on January 16, followed by further tests conducted by a medical team on January 19. An injection was administered on January 24, and all steps were documented in official records. The senator offered to share the complete medical record with the leader of the opposition if needed. Sanaullah added that the PTI founder was routinely examined by jail doctors every second day and had been evaluated by external specialists on 25 occasions. He pointed out that during a medical board meeting on December 9, as well as during a meeting with his sister on December 2, no complaint regarding eyesight was mentioned.
He maintained that once the issue was raised in January, medical attention was provided without delay. Portraying the matter as a prolonged lapse, he argued, was politically motivated. He also said no request had been filed before the Supreme Court seeking Khan’s transfer to a private hospital, though the government had assured the court that he could be examined by any doctor of his choice. Separately, PTI Vice-Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, speaking to reporters at an antiterrorism court in Lahore, expressed sorrow over Khan’s health condition. He stressed that prisoners are entitled to legal and constitutional rights, including access to medical care.
Pakistan and Russia discussed the launch of a direct passenger flight between Moscow and Islamabad during bilateral talks held on the sidelines of the OIC ministerial conference in Istanbul. Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan met Russian Deputy Minister for Transport Zverev Dmitry Stanislavovich, where both sides reviewed options to expand air and land connectivity between the two countries. The Russian side invited the Pakistani minister to attend the International Transport and Logistics Forum scheduled to be held in Saint Petersburg from April 1 to 3, 2026, as part of continued engagement on regional transport cooperation. Discussions also covered the need to ease banking channels and remove practical barriers affecting trade and transport operations between the two countries. The Pakistani minister highlighted issues faced by freight operators, including visa facilitation for drivers engaged in cross-border logistics. He reiterated Pakistan’s interest in developing land connectivity through Central Asia in coordination with China and regional partners, noting that enhanced transport corridors could create new avenues for trade between Pakistan and Russia. Both sides agreed that closer cooperation in transport infrastructure and logistics could contribute to broader economic engagement and regional connectivity.
PM reaffirms commitment to further enhance mutually beneficial cooperation with uae ISLAMABAD
staff report
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further enhance mutually beneficial cooperation with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and praised the UAE’s “consistent and unwavering support” to Pakistan, describing it as instrumental in helping the country navigate through challenging times, state media reported. During a telephone conversation with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Friday, Premier Shehbaz stated that “this support was a manifestation of the historic, fraternal bonds between the leadership and the people of both countries,” acknowledging the deep-rooted ties that have been built over years of cooperation. Pakistan and the UAE share deeprooted historical, cultural and people-to-people ties as millions of Pakistanis live and work in the Emirates, contributing significantly to the UAE’s economy while remittances remain a vital pillar of Pakistan’s foreign exchange inflows. Over the years, the UAE has also emerged as one of Pak-
istan’s key trading partners and investors. In their warm and cordial exchange, the two leaders recalled their recent meetings in Islamabad and Rahim Yar Khan in December, which took place during UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s first official visit to Pakistan. Both leaders reaffirmed their shared de-
sire to further enhance mutually beneficial cooperation between Pakistan and the UAE. They also exchanged views on a range of other matters of mutual interest, agreeing to remain in close contact to ensure continued collaboration.
CoNtiNued oN Page 03
PM congratulates BNP on landslide win, pledges closer Pakistan-Bangladesh ties ISLAMABAD
staff report
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday congratulated the leadership of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party following its sweeping victory in the general elections, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to work with the new administration to promote regional peace and strengthen bilateral ties, state media reported. In a post on X, state broadcaster PTV News, said that PM Shehbaz spoke by telephone with BNP leader Tarique Rahman, extending “heartfelt congratulations on behalf of the people and the Government of Pakistan on the historic and splendid victory of his party in the general elections.” The premier also congratulated the people of Bangladesh on the successful conduct of the polls, saying they “reflect the demo-
cratic ideals and values” of the nation. The BNP secured a landslide victory, returning to power after nearly two decades, with Tarique Rahman positioned to become prime minister as Bangladesh emerges from months of political unrest and economic disruption. Rahman, the son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia and assassinated former president Ziaur Rahman, faces the immediate task of restoring political stability, rebuilding investor confidence, and reviving key industries following the collapse of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s government in 2024. Recalling the historic and fraternal ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh, PM Shehbaz reiterated his determination to work with Bangladesh’s leadership to further strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation across all areas of interest, while fully respecting each country’s sovereignty, the statement said.