PTI Makes Protest Attendance Mandatory
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has directed all its senators and assembly members to ensure mandatory attendance at daily protests outside the Supreme Court of Pakistan starting February 23.
The move is part of the party’s campaign seeking a complete medical checkup for its jailed founder, Imran Khan.
According to an official memo issued on February 22 from PTI’s Central Secretariat, lawmakers must remain present outside the office of the Chief Justice at the Supreme Court in Islamabad from 9:00 am until court proceedings conclude. The directive will remain in force “till further instructions.”
Who Must Attend?
The memo makes attendance compulsory for:
- All PTI Senators
- All National Assembly members
- All Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly members
- Punjab Assembly members (effective February 24)
Lawmakers unable to attend must submit a written explanation to the Additional Secretary General by the end of the day, clearly stating reasons for exemption.
Imran Khan’s Imprisonment and Legal Cases
Imran Khan has been in prison since August 2023 and is currently serving a sentence at Adiala Jail in connection with the £190 million corruption case.
He also faces multiple pending trials under the Anti-Terrorism Act related to the May 9, 2023 protests.
PTI has intensified its campaign following a medical report submitted to the court indicating that Khan’s right-eye vision has deteriorated to 15%. The government, however, maintains that he is receiving the best possible medical care.
PTI’s Key Demands
During Monday’s protest outside the Supreme Court, party leaders reiterated several demands:
- Immediate scheduling of all pending legal cases
- Permission for Khan’s family to meet him
- A comprehensive medical examination conducted by his personal doctors
- Transparency regarding his health condition
Senior party leaders, including Salman Akram Raja and Aamir Dogar, attended the demonstration alongside elected representatives.
Political Tensions Likely to Escalate
With daily protests now formally organized and attendance made compulsory, PTI appears set to intensify pressure on the government and judiciary.
Observers suggest the move could further heighten political tensions as the party pushes for both legal relief and medical transparency for its founding chairman.