Author: News Desk

Imran Khan’s sister Noreen Niazi has raised serious questions regarding an alleged late-night hospital visit of the jailed former prime minister.

In a statement posted on X, she said multiple journalists and media sources reported that Khan was taken under the cover of night to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Hospital for eye treatment, where he remained for three hours before being returned to Adiala Jail. 

“If this news is true, it is not merely oppression, it is a blatant crime,” Niazi wrote.

She demanded that authorities immediately allow the family, personal doctors, and lawyers to meet Khan, and that his complete medical reports be made public.

“Why does no one have the courage to tell the truth to Imran Khan’s family and lawyers? Who is this being hidden from, and on whose orders?” she asked. 

She added, “This is no longer a request, it is a final warning!”.

The statement drew reactions on social media. One user said, “Transferring a leader under cover of darkness and hiding his condition from his family is not governance – it’s a thuggish tactic. The nation’s eyes are now wide open, and we will hold every responsible person accountable for any harm done.” 

Another wrote, “If this is true, it’s deeply alarming. Any medical treatment carried out in secrecy demands answers. Imran Khan’s family, lawyers, and doctors must be given immediate access, and his medical reports made public. Transparency is not optional.”

Separately, PTI leader Asad Umar commented on X, questioning why doctors from Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital were not allowed to see Khan. 

He wrote, “Why not let Shaukat Khanum doctors see @ImranKhanPTI? Have they ever made political statements after seeing Imran Khan? Have they ever given statements about his health which were not accurate?”

The statement from Niazi comes amid PTI claims regarding Khan’s health. The party said it had learned through credible reports that Khan had been diagnosed with central retinal vein occlusion in his right eye, a condition described as extremely serious and requiring immediate treatment to prevent permanent vision loss. 

PTI alleged that jail authorities were insisting on treatment within the prison, despite medical advice that specialised facilities were required. 

The party also said Khan was last allowed to see his personal physician in October 2024, despite court orders permitting regular check-ups.

PTI demanded that Khan be transferred to Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital or another hospital of his choice, and called for his family, close associates, and personal doctors to have unrestricted access.
 

Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital also issued a statement expressing concern over Khan’s health and requested that its physicians be allowed to participate in his care.

The National Assembly’s standing committee on Religious Affairs has forwarded recommendations to the Ministry of Religious affairs regarding a proposed parliamentary visit to Makkah and Madinah.

The recommendations were discussed during a meeting of the standing committee chaired by Shagufta Jumani. During the meeting, it was proposed that a parliamentary delegation travel annually to Madinah and to attend prayers at Roza-e-Rasool and perform Umrah on behalf of the public.

According to the recommendations, the National Assembly would bear the expenses for air tickets, accommodation, and meals in Makkah and Madinah. 

It was also suggested that hotel accommodation or official lodging be arranged for the delegation and that a protocol officer be appointed to assist them during the visit. The committee proposed that the delegation consist of 10 members and that it travel every year. 

During the meeting, the issue of allowing family members to accompany delegation members was also discussed. Some committee members supported allowing family members to travel, while others stated that if family members were included, their expenses should be borne personally. 

There was also discussion regarding the size of the delegation, with some members suggesting an increase in the number of participants.

Reports quoted sources that the delegation was described during the meeting as representing the public. It was also reported that the proposal was discussed among committee members and the minister, including member of National Assembly Sardar Muhammad Yousaf.

Separately, the National Assembly Secretariat clarified that no approval has yet been granted for a parliamentary delegation to perform Umrah or visit Roza-e-Rasool at state expense. The secretariat stated that under a 2016 resolution, members of parliament have been visiting Roza-e-Rasool each year at their own expense.

According to the secretariat, the recommendations have currently been forwarded to the Ministry of Religious Affairs and will be sent to the Speaker of the National Assembly for final approval. No decision has yet been taken on the implementation of the proposal.

Public anger spread on social media after the body of a woman who fell into an open sewerage line along with her minor daughter near Bhatti Chowk in Lahore was recovered, while the child still remains missing. 

Lahore Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Operations Faisal Kamran said the woman’s body was found at a disposal station on Outfall Road. Addressing questions on whether the water flow was sufficient to carry a person, Kamran said the timing of the incident was being ignored.

“You should also look at the time difference. When it happened, the water flow was fast; those are peak hours,” he said, adding that the flow was reduced later in the night.

Asked whether police would register a case, the DIG said action would be taken according to the wishes of the family. “Whatever the family says and whatever their opinion is, we will act according to that,” he said.

Lahore Operations Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mohammad Tauqir said police had taken the woman’s husband into custody for questioning. Speaking to a private media outlet, Tauqir said the man had contacted Rescue 1122 around 7:30pm, alleging that his wife and daughter had fallen into the sewerage line.

“It would be premature to say she was murdered or died in an accident,” the SSP said.

According to Tauqir, the husband was taken into custody following a statement by the woman’s father, who alleged the couple had not been on good terms for the past few months. He said the father had expressed doubts over the husband’s role, despite the husband being the one who informed rescue services.

As details emerged, several reactions criticised official handling of the incident. One reaction said, “Imagine the agony, pain and torment of this unfortunate family whose two beloved ones fell into a sewage line right in front of their eyes, and then instead of standing with them in their grief, the government and official institutions are now conducting investigations against them.”

Other reactions targeted the Punjab government. One comment described the incident as “a slap in the face for the fake Form 47 government of Punjab,” while suggesting that official narratives would shift toward claims of performance.

Concerns over infrastructure were also raised. One reaction said, “A 23-year-old woman and her nine-month-old daughter fell into an open manhole in Lahore. No lights where people walk, but plenty in parks and graveyards.” The same comment criticised the absence of warnings near open manholes.

Several reactions referenced public statements by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. One comment said, “Didn’t Maryam Nawaz say the other day that she checks these manholes at night? Pure drama.” 

Another reaction referred to a video in which instructions were given to cover manholes or use barbed wire, questioning whether such statements were meant for publicity.

Another comment suggested limited accountability, saying, “Maryam Nawaz will just dismiss the DC in the morning in front of cameras while the people continue to suffer.”

Following the incident, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz took notice and ordered the formation of a fact-finding committee, directing it to submit a report within 24 hours. Two officials of the Traffic Engineering and Planning Agency (TEPA), a subsidiary of the Lahore Development Authority, were suspended with immediate effect over uncovered manholes.

Earlier, a Rescue 1122 spokesperson said teams were dispatched after receiving the report, confirming that a search operation had been launched.