ISLAMABAD: Aleema Khanum, sister of PTI founder Imran Khan, on Wednesday launched a scathing criticism of the party leadership over decisions taken for the former premier’s medical treatment and of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) over the delay in fixing his cases for hearing.

A day earlier, the PTI founder was taken to the hospital for follow-up treatment of his eye ailment, which came to light in late January. However, his party took exception to the ‘secrecy’ surrounding this procedure and the complete exclusion of family members from this process.

The opposition has also repeatedly demanded that cases of the incarcerated PTI founder be fixed for an early hearing.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Aleema said the health of the PTI founder was the family’s primary concern and insisted that no decision regarding his treatment should be made without their permission.

Referring to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s statement from February 17 regarding Imran’s health, she said the minister had publicly claimed that Imran had received medical treatment, but no one from the party leadership could confirm the nature of that treatment.

In his statement, Naqvi had also accu­sed Aleema of trying to exploit her incarcerated brother’s health issues for political gains.

“Why doesn’t anyone deny or confirm what treatment was carried out?” Aleema asked.

She alleged that the family had recommended doctors, including Dr Asim, Dr Uzma Khan and Dr Barki, for examination at Shifa International Hospital. Still, their names were either rejected, or no response was given.

She claimed the family later learned that treatment had been conducted at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and that they were kept unaware of developments.

“We were demanding treatment at Shifa International Hospital. Instead, we were sent to jail when we raised the issue,” she said.

She further alleged that pressure was being exerted on government doctors and said the family would no longer communicate concerns in closed-door meetings but would raise them publicly.

Aleema also questioned the silence of senior PTI lawyers and office-bearers, naming Hamid Khan, Ali Zafar, Latif Khosa and Barrister Gohar, and asked why they were not actively pursuing the founder’s cases.

“Where are the senior lawyers who were given party tickets? The founder repeatedly asked them to get his cases filed,” she said.

She claimed that information about meetings and medical arrangements was coming from Naqvi instead of party representatives. “Will we get information from the minister or from our own party?” she asked.

Expressing frustration, she remarked that the party appeared “as relaxed as if Imran Khan has been treated,” adding that if anyone could not bear the burden of the PTI founder’s narrative, they should step aside.

On the matter of the delay in cases being fixed, Aleema said the PTI founder had been coming to court for the past 13 months to pursue his cases, but hurdles were being created.

“We come and sit in court for hours, but cases are not fixed,” she said, adding that on one occasion, when Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi appeared in court and attempted to speak, the chief justice left the courtroom.

Aleema maintained that the “chair of justice” existed to provide relief to the people and claimed that courts elsewhere in the world did not function in such a manner.

Separately, senior lawyer Salman Akram Raja told the media that court orders regarding meetings with the PTI founder were not being implemented.

He added the IHC had ordered two weekly meetings — one for lawyers and one for family members — but alleged that meetings were not arranged despite the appearance of the KP chief minister.

Raja further claimed that contempt petitions filed over non-compliance were not heard and that the high court had become a “closed door” for the party. He added that applications for medical examination had also not been taken up.

“In one case related to [X account], the court directed that we meet the party founder and file a response. How can we file a reply without meeting him?” he questioned, alleging that proceedings continued without facilitating the meeting.

Raja said the party would approach the Supreme Court if relief was not granted.

KP CM also spoke to reporters, saying he had attempted to address Chief Justice Dogar in open court but was not heard.

“I went to the rostrum while fasting and greeted the chief justice, but he did not respond,” he said, adding that PTI wanted to demonstrate peaceful protest rather than agitation.

Meanwhile, Barrister Salman Safdar said that if bail cases were not fixed for hearing, the matter would be taken directly to the SC. Later, the IHC administration fixed an early hearing plea for Thursday.

Gohar acknowledges communication gap within party leadership

Separately, PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan also arrived at the IHC. Addressing the media upon his arrival, Gohar said that the party leadership had decided to pursue its cases before the Supreme Court of Pakistan, and he had made an appearance there before arriving at the IHC.

He acknowledged a communication gap within the party leadership but stressed that all leaders were making sincere and coordinated efforts to secure Imran’s release.

The PTI chairman also congratulated the newly elected office-bearers of the Islamabad High Court Journalists Association, saying that “dynamic individuals are stepping forward” to lead the journalist community.

In a conversation with IHCJA President Asad Malik and General Secretary Asif Naveed, Gohar assured the association of his party’s full support on issues facing journalists.

“Wherever you encounter difficulties, we will raise our voice and extend our cooperation wherever it is required,” he said, adding that PTI would stand by the journalist community in its struggle for rights and professional freedom.

He further stated that his party would raise its voice against the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), particularly regarding concerns about restrictions on freedom of expression.

Gohar maintained that the PTI would continue to advocate for journalists’ rights, especially against what he described as language restrictions imposed on media personnel, reiterating that freedom of expression is indispensable for a democratic society.

He also assured journalists that the party would take up the issue of the unannounced and prolonged ban on Dawn’s advertisements in Parliament, terming it a curtailment of press freedom.