Imran Khan party warns nationwide protests over jail meeting and health concerns

Peshawar,UPDATED: Aug 10, 2026 19:42 IST

Supporters of former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan will stage protests across the country if the jailed leader is not allowed to meet his party colleagues this week, a senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader said on Monday.

Speaking at a press conference, Sohail Afridi, the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and key members of his cabinet would be held responsible if anything happened to the 73-year-old Khan in prison. Salman Akram Raja and other senior leaders of Khan's party were present at the briefing.

Khan, a former cricketer-turned-politician, has been lodged in Pakistan's Adiala Jail since 2023 and is facing several cases. His arrest had triggered widespread protests, leading to clashes between his supporters and security forces in Islamabad's Democracy Square, popularly known as D-Chowk, and in other parts of the country.

Khan and his party colleagues have for years alleged human rights violations, accusing the authorities of preventing him from meeting family members and party leaders and denying him better medical care despite what they describe as deteriorating health and a severe eye condition.

Afridi said on Monday that all parliamentarians of Khan's party would visit Adiala Jail on Thursday to meet him. "Entire Pakistan will be turned into D-Chowk" by 10 pm on Thursday if Khan is not allowed to meet them, he said. He added that Khan's family had assured that no political discussion would take place during the meeting and urged the government to accept the guarantee and allow it.

"The only demand is that Imran Khan should be provided with the best possible medical facilities," Afridi said, adding that both Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, who was arrested in 2024, were facing health issues. He said concerns over Khan's health must be addressed and the government should ensure that he receives proper medical care.

In sum, Khan's party has linked its call for a meeting at Adiala Jail to a wider protest warning, while also pressing the government to ensure proper medical treatment for Khan and Bushra Bibi.

With PTI Inputs

- Ends