The Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing for August 18 to consider pleas requesting medical treatment and meetings with imprisoned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan. A three-judge bench, led by Justice Shahid Waheed and including Justice Naeem Afghan and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, will preside over the case. Notices have been issued to all concerned parties and their legal representatives.
Imran Khan has been detained since August 2023 and is facing multiple charges ranging from corruption to terrorism following his removal from office through a no-confidence vote in April 2022. In response, PTI had announced a long march aimed at securing his release in accordance with constitutional and legal provisions.
In a significant development, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, speaking on a political talk show, confirmed that PTI’s leadership along with its allied group, Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP), have agreed on a long march scheduled for September 27 towards Islamabad. Afridi clarified that the objective of this march is not to demand Imran Khan’s release but to gain access to him.
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader in the Senate, Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, stated that PTI could rejoin parliamentary standing committees if the government facilitates a meeting with Imran Khan. He accused the government of deliberately creating confusion about Khan’s health to sow discord within the party. Raja Nasir emphasized his personal loyalty to Imran Khan, distinguishing between the party and its founder, and vowed to support him unconditionally.
Raja Nasir also revealed that opposition representatives had presented a comprehensive negotiation plan to Imran Khan at Adiala Jail after first meeting at KP House. He explained that PTI refused to hold talks at the Prime Minister’s or Speaker’s offices, as doing so would legitimize a government they do not recognize. However, he expressed willingness to negotiate in the Constitution Room of Parliament House if the government shows genuine intent.
He further commented on Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s remarks about systemic collapse, agreeing with the diagnosis but criticizing the proposed solutions as unlawful. Raja Nasir stressed the need for a truly representative government that reflects the will of the people.
