Five prominent leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), currently detained at Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail, have collectively appealed for a temporary cessation of all protest activities throughout the holy month of Ramadan. In a joint statement released on Friday, the imprisoned leadership stressed the importance of respecting the sanctity of Ramadan by deferring any form of public demonstrations. Instead, they urged the party to channel its efforts towards strengthening parliamentary politics and legal avenues during this period.
The letter was signed by senior PTI figures including Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Ejaz Ahmed Chaudhry, Umar Sarfraz Cheema, and Mian Mahmood Rashid. These leaders highlighted the need for a strategic shift in the party’s approach, emphasizing that Ramadan should be a time of restraint and reflection rather than confrontation. They underscored that the party’s immediate focus should be on legislative engagement and legal battles, which they believe will be more effective in the current political climate.
This call comes amid heightened tensions surrounding the health condition of PTI founder Imran Khan, who has been incarcerated since August 2023. Recent medical disclosures have brought his health into sharp focus, particularly a diagnosis of central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), a serious eye disorder that has caused Khan to lose approximately 85 percent of vision in his right eye. CRVO is typically linked to older patients with cardiovascular issues such as hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol, raising concerns about Khan’s well-being under detention.
The revelation about Khan’s deteriorating eyesight has intensified political discord, with the opposition alliance Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Aiyeen Pakistan (TTAP) staging a sit-in at Parliament House in protest. Simultaneously, PTI supporters have organized roadblocks and demonstrations across key highways in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, signaling widespread unrest. In response, the jailed PTI leaders have demanded that the government cease politicizing Khan’s medical condition and ensure his treatment is conducted transparently, involving his family members and personal physicians.
In their letter, the imprisoned leaders also expressed strong disapproval of recent comments made by President Asif Ali Zardari concerning Imran Khan. They described the president’s remarks as inappropriate and unbecoming of the dignity associated with the office of the head of state. The letter praised Khan for enduring his imprisonment with resilience and dignity despite the challenging circumstances he faces.
Furthermore, the PTI leadership inside Kot Lakhpat called for an escalation of legal efforts to secure proper medical care for Khan. They emphasized the importance of maintaining regular communication between party officials, legal representatives, and Khan’s family to coordinate his treatment and political strategy effectively. The letter also urged TTAP to take a more active role within parliamentary proceedings, using legislative tools to highlight what they termed the government’s poor performance across various sectors.
To address the ongoing political crisis, the jailed leaders proposed that the core and political committees appointed by Imran Khan should convene for comprehensive discussions on the deteriorating situation. They recommended that decisions be made through consensus wherever possible, or by majority vote if unanimity cannot be achieved. These decisions should be formally documented and binding on all party office-bearers to ensure unity and discipline within PTI ranks.
In addition, the letter stressed the necessity of a complete organizational overhaul within PTI. The leaders called on party officials at all levels to revitalize and strengthen the party’s grassroots network in preparation for upcoming local government elections. They highlighted the importance of reactivating all party wings and fostering a disciplined, dynamic organizational structure as essential for mounting an effective political challenge.
Lastly, the imprisoned leadership urged PTI to consistently draw public attention to critical national issues such as the worsening security landscape, rising terrorism, economic instability, soaring inflation, widespread poverty, unemployment, the increasing number of out-of-school children, unchecked population growth, and pervasive corruption. They argued that these pressing challenges must remain central to the party’s narrative and political agenda moving forward.
