Islamabad Red Zone Sealed Amid PTI Protest

Islamabad-(Mudassar Iqbal/Web Desk)- Islamabad’s Red Zone was locked down on Friday as heavy police deployment stopped lawmakers from reaching Parliament House during Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) sit-in. The party had announced a protest outside Parliament in the high-security zone, alleging negligence in the medical treatment of jailed former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan, particularly regarding his reported eye condition. Authorities placed barriers at Radio Pakistan Chowk and restricted movement towards Shahrah-e-Dastoor and the Parliament building. The demonstration follows a report submitted to the Supreme Court by PTI lawyer Salman Safdar after his visit to Adiala Jail, where he met the former premier.

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The court had appointed Safdar as amicus curiae (friend of the court), directing him to visit Adiala jail and submit a report on February 11, after the former premier informed that he had been left with only 15% vision in his right eye.

Speaking to the media outside the Parliament House, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said he had “barely managed” to reach the building.

Parliamentarians are being stopped; I somehow managed to reach parliament,” he said, adding that the party’s sit-in has begun.

Barrister Gohar warned that if the party was not allowed to hold its protest at the designated site, demonstrations would be staged across the country. “We want to steer matters in the right direction. If the situation slips from our hands, the government will not be able to control it,” he warned.

The PTI chief further said that the party founder had authorised Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Mehmood Khan Achakzai and Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas to lead the protest.

Speaking to the media, Achakzai said the sit-in would remain peaceful, urging that the PTI founder’s personal physician and family should be allowed to meet him.

“Earlier, I was told that the PTI founder’s health was better. We want him to be treated by competent doctors available in the country,” Achakzai said.

Meanwhile, police shut the gates of the Parliament Lodges as PTI parliamentarians attempted to leave to participate in the sit-in.

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Separately, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed plans to shift the PTI founder to Islamabad jail once it is completed.

Speaking to the media in the federal capital, Naqvi said that the construction work for the prison facility will be completed in two months.

“The jail has all medical facilities. The PTI founder will be shifted to the Islamabad jail as he was convicted by the Islamabad High Court,” the interior minister said.

The confirmation comes two months after authorities dismissed reports suggesting that the former premier might be shifted from Adiala jail.

On December 10 last year, jail authorities stated that the PTI founder remained at the facility and was being provided full security, medical care, and proper meals.

At the time, sources termed reports of his transfer “baseless”, saying he was being treated in accordance with jail regulations and that no administrative decision had been taken regarding his relocation.