• TTAP calls off protest ‘in light of Ramazan’; vows to come up with fresh strategy
• Announces plans to take Adiala admin to court over Imran’s ‘delayed treatment’
• KP CM forms ‘Free Imran Khan Force’, says public movement ‘inevitable’ to secure his release
• SC turns down Latif Khosa’s request to meet PTI founder, tells him not to speak about politics in court

ISLAMABAD: Despite the government’s refusal to allow PTI founder Imran Khan to be examined by his personal physicians — in line with the demands of his family and party — the opposition alliance on Wednesday called off its sit-in at Parliament House, in deference to the holy month of Ramazan.

In a media talk following their visit to the Supreme Court, the Tehreek-i-Tahafuz Aiyeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) leaders reiterated their demand for a thorough examination of Mr Khan, and allowing his meetings with family members.

Senate Opposition Leader Raja Nasir Abbas, however, criticised the government for not taking Mr Khan’s family or doctors on board. “Thank God, there is a some improvement compared to the situation before, when the vision had gone completely — just a little bit,” he told reporters.

An amicus report earlier submitted to the Supreme Court by lawyer Salman Safdar had claimed that Mr Khan had lost most vision in one of his eyes. Following a checkup and treatment by a government-formed medical board in prison, his condition was said to have improved considerably.

But the TTAP leader criticised the government for “not taking on board” Mr Khan’s family or personal doctors. He reiterated that his longtime physicians, Dr Aasim Yusuf and Dr Faisal Sultan, should be allowed to examine the PTI founder.

Stressing that the opposition would be glad to learn of even the slightest improvement in his condition, Senator Abbas said, “As the month of Ramazan is also beginning, we will end our sit-in that we were staging in the parliament. In the next stage, we can take different measures as the TTAP, and we will do so as we have time,” he added.

Only a day earlier, the TTAP issued a list of demands, asking the government to share Mr Khan’s medical reports with his doctors — among other requests — and vowing to continue its protest until the acceptance of these demands.

Raja Nasir Abbas, while referring to claims made by Aleema Khan, said that when Imran Khan had said he had concerns, it meant there were concerns. He again called for a meeting between the jailed PTI leader and his sisters.

“Whatever their demands are, which will satisfy them, should be taken [into consideration],” he said, calling on the public to pray for Mr Khan’s prompt recovery.

According to Senator Abbas, the demand by Mr Khan’s family to have him treated at Islamabad’s Shifa International Hospital was “genuine”, noting that there were independent and competent doctors there who were not subordinate to the government.

He also blamed the administration of Adiala jail for not taking timely action to provide medical care to Imran. “This was a crime. God-willing, we are about to approach the court about this,” he announced.

The senator claimed that the objective of the TTAP sit-in was to ensure that the “government does not commit any more mistakes”.

‘Free Imran Khan Force’

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Min­ister Sohail Afridi, meanwhile, announced the formation of the ‘Free Imran Khan Force’ to wage a peaceful struggle for the release of Mr Khan. CM Afridi had also met all three sisters of Imran Khan before the Supreme Court hearing.

Addressing a press conference outside the SC, he emphasised that a “public movement has now become unavoidable after persistent violations of court directives”.

The KP CM said the new ‘force’ will offer memberships for youth from across the country and will include professionals and members from the Insaf Students Forum, as well as the PTI’s youth, women and minority wings.

“The Free Imran Khan Force will wage a completely peaceful struggle. After his release, Imran Khan will himself dissolve the force,” CM Afridi was quoted as saying. The chief minister elaborated that the membership cards would be ready within four to five days, with youth from Peshawar taking oaths after Eidul Fitr.

Khosa denied meeting again

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court again denied PTI leader Latif Khosa a meeting with Imran Khan.

The request was made by Mr Khosa as a three-member bench, headed by Justice Hashim Khan Kakar, resumed hearing a set of petitions regarding the PTI founder. During the hearing, Mr Khosa requested that a meeting be arranged between him and the jailed party founder.

To this, Justice Kakar replied, “You have taken away the power of taking suo motu notice from us. How can we order a meeting in a criminal case?” Justice Panhwar also questioned how the bench could issue directives in a case that was not fixed before it. Therefore, the bench dismissed Mr Khosa’s request for a meeting.

At one point, Justice Kakar told Mr Khosa “not to speak about political matters while standing in the court”. “Speak on politics in the parliament,” the judge remarked. He added, “Now that you have said such things, tickers will also be aired about this and vlogs will also be made.”

Published in Dawn, February 19th, 2026