SWABI: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader and secretary general of Tehreek Tahaffuz-i-Aain Pakistan Asad Qaiser on Wednesday expressed concern over the health of party founder Imran Khan and demanded his family and political leadership be allowed to meet him at the earliest.

Addressing a party corner meeting in Chota Lahor, Swabi, Asad Qaiser referred to a report published in Dawn regarding Imran Khan’s health, stating that he had been taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad, for treatment. He said the party was deeply concerned about his condition.

Criticising the government, Asad Qaiser said that the rule of law had collapsed and that the country was being run like a “banana republic”.

He claimed that the government did not recognise the authority of courts and that the judiciary had been rendered ineffective.

He also expressed reservations over the government’s handling of the Gaza Board of Peace, saying neither the nation nor parliament has been taken into confidence on the matter.

Asad Qaiser said the party had no option left but peaceful resistance against what he termed oppression and fascism. He maintained that peaceful movements had historically succeeded, while violent ones had failed.

He reiterated PTI’s commitment to the supremacy of the Constitution, civilian supremacy and an independent judiciary.

He said Imran Khan was imprisoned for the sake of the nation and claimed that he could be released within 24 hours if he chose to do so.

He alleged that PTI was not being allowed to govern even in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, adding that the province was being denied its full share under the National Finance Commission Award as well as profits from hydropower generation.

He further alleged that the federal government was attempting to create a confrontation between the provincial government and the institutions, and that a “false narrative” was being spread against the elected chief minister.

IRANIAN DELEGATION: An Iranian delegation lauded the outstanding facilities provided to the students in Ghulam Ishaq Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology during their visit here on Wednesday.

The delegation comprising seven officials from Pak-Iran Consortium held a detailed talks with Prof Fazal Ahmad Khalid, Rector GIK Institute, Prof M Hassan Zaidi, Pro-Rector Academics, Brig (retd) Babar Miraj Shami, Pro-Rector admin and finance and other officials.

The Iranian delegation was led by Abbas Daneshvar Hakimi Meibodi, managing director and chief executive officer of Pair Investment Company Limited.

The other members of delegation were: Khurram Faizyab, head corporate and investment banking, Muhammad Saeed Rana, head north-corporate and investment banking, Sohaib Asif Sipra, Abid Hussain, Badar and Adnan Janjua.

They discussed collaboration with GIK Institute and decided to remain in contact with each other in this respect.

Mr Abbas Daneshvar also exchanged views with the students in the labortorties.

They also paid tributes to founder of the Institute, late Ghulam Ishaq Khan and former president of Pakistan.

Earlier, the delegation visited Gadoon Amazai Industrial Estate and met with industrialists there.

Published in Dawn, January 29th, 2026