Altaf shows concern over Imran Khan’s health, calls for immediate family, political meetings
LONDON. [UK]. January 30: Muttahida Quami Movement's (MQM) founding leader Altaf Hussain has expressed serious concern over reports regarding the deteriorating health of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, urging the government to immediately allow meetings between Imran Khan and his sisters, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister (CM) Sohail Afridi, and other senior party leaders.
In his 385th speech via TikTok on January 30, 2026, Hussain stated that reports circulating in the media about Imran Khan’s illness are alarming and have caused widespread anxiety among his family members, party leadership, workers, and supporters.
He said such concerns could only be alleviated by permitting immediate access to Imran Khan by his close relatives and political associates.
He emphasized that compassion, morality, and basic human decency demand that assistance be provided to anyone who is ill or injured. He added that those holding positions of power carry an even greater moral and administrative responsibility to act in accordance with humanitarian principles.
Referring to media reports, the MQM Supremo said that Imran Khan was allegedly taken out of jail during the night and shifted to a hospital in Islamabad due to deteriorating health.
While the government initially denied these reports, he noted that government ministers have since confirmed them.
Despite this, repeated requests by Imran Khan’s sisters, party leaders, and legal representatives to meet him have reportedly been denied.
He further stated that even prisoners are entitled to certain legal rights, including meetings with family members and lawyers, whether they are convicted or under trial.
However, according to Hussain, the government has not allowed Imran Khan to meet his lawyers, party leaders, or even his sisters.
Hussain also highlighted that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM, Sohail Afridi, has repeatedly sought permission to meet Imran Khan.
He said that protests and sit-ins have been held to press for this demand, yet permission has allegedly been denied even to the chief minister.
He termed this an insult not to an individual, but to the constitutional office of a provincial chief minister, warning that such actions could further weaken national unity and cohesion.
Calling on the authorities to reconsider their approach, he urged the government to immediately facilitate meetings between Imran Khan and his sisters, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM, and other Pakistan Tehreek-e Insaf leaders.
Commenting on the broader political situation, he noted that Pakistan Tehreek-e Insaf has announced a nationwide wheel-jam strike on February 8 in protest against what it describes as undemocratic actions by the government.
He said that instead of engaging in dialogue with PTI and opposition parties to address their demands, the government has announced celebrations of the Basant festival in Punjab on the same day, alleging that this move is intended to divert public attention and undermine the strike.