Uproar in PA over Imran’s return to jail

A contentious scene unfolded in the Punjab Assembly as opposition lawmakers staged a vehement protest against the government for refusing to move Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad. Alleging disregard for Supreme Court directives, Leader of the Opposition Moeen Riaz Qureshi accused the administration of ignoring judicial orders and censured their handling of the PTI leader's medical care.

Qureshi claimed Imran Khan had been confined to solitary confinement for eight months, and he vowed that if the government persisted in flouting court orders for personal gain, the opposition would take to the streets. The session descended into chaos when government members interrupted Qureshi's speech, leading the opposition to request the suspension of the day's agenda to debate Imran Khan's health.

When Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan denied their request, the opposition members resorted to chanting slogans and ultimately boycotted the proceedings, gathering on the steps of the assembly building to continue their demonstration. Addressing journalists, Qureshi condemned what he called medical negligence, alleging that lights were turned off at PIMS and Imran Khan examined under cell phone flashlights.

Parliamentary Secretary for Auqaf and Religious Affairs Malik Waheed informed the House that 20 hydraulic umbrellas worth Rs650m were being installed under a Data Darbar expansion project. The opposition pointed out the lack of quorum, leading to an adjournment of the assembly session until the following Monday.