DLP Report
PESHAWAR
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi has expressed serious concern over reports about the health of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, saying the demand for his treatment under the supervision of personal physicians and in the presence of his family should be accepted.
“We neither politicise Imran Khan’s health, nor has he ever raised the issue of his health to seek any form of relief,” Mr Afridi said while speaking to the media during a sit-in outside the Supreme Court.
He said the nation had serious reservations about Mr Khan’s wellbeing and called for his health to be treated with the seriousness it warranted.
The chief minister recalled that during his tenure as prime minister, Mr Khan had allowed former premier Nawaz Sharif to travel abroad for medical treatment despite questions having been raised over the authenticity of medical certificates submitted in his case.
“Imran Khan was aware of those concerns, yet he acted in accordance with the principles of humanity and compassion and allowed Nawaz Sharif to travel abroad for medical treatment,” he said.
Mr Afridi said Mr Khan was now being denied what he described as fundamental human rights and access to justice, calling the situation “deeply concerning and completely unacceptable”.
He alleged that Mr Khan had been imprisoned in fabricated cases while his political opponents were themselves facing corruption allegations and cases involving misuse of public resources.
“Those responsible for injustice should listen carefully: no one can escape justice. Everyone will ultimately have to answer for their actions,” he said.
The chief minister said the country’s justice system was facing a severe test of its institutional integrity.
“If even one judge takes a principled stand for justice, it will give other judges the courage and confidence to do the same,” he said.
“The people are looking to the judiciary with hope. If judges do not deliver justice and do not perform the duties for which they draw their salaries, then where will the people turn in their pursuit of justice?” he asked.
Mr Afridi said he was witnessing “a spark of revolution” in the eyes of the country’s youth and warned that continued oppression and injustice could further deepen public resentment.
He urged the rulers and decision-makers to understand the gravity of the situation and “open their eyes before Sept 27”, calling for the country to be steered towards justice, constitutional supremacy and the rule of law.
“Otherwise, the situation could become increasingly difficult to manage,” he cautioned.
