ISLAMABAD : Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Mahmood Achakzai, has cast doubt on the severity of imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan’s health issues, suggesting they are being exaggerated for political effect. His remarks came following a joint meeting of the political committees of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and his own party.
Achakzai implied a strategic timing to the health concerns surrounding the PTI founder. “We announced our protest plans, and simultaneously, talk of Imran Khan’s illness was emphasized to the workers,” he stated, hinting at a possible diversionary tactic. He asserted, “I can claim that Imran Khan’s health is not as bad as is being propagated.”
The opposition leader clarified his position, denying personal animosity. “We have no enmity with anyone,” Achakzai said, “but in fact, we are being diverted from our core objective.” He framed the current political tensions as a struggle to maintain focus on fundamental institutional reforms.
Central to his argument was a call for sweeping democratic restructuring. Achakzai emphasized the opposition’s unwavering demands: “We want an independent Election Commission and general elections held in a free and fair manner.” He stressed the necessity for all state institutions to operate strictly within their constitutional boundaries, arguing that this is the only path to stability. “The institutions should remain within constitutional limits,” he concluded, “so that we can reconstruct Pakistan on a true democratic foundation.”
The statement underscores the deepening rift between the opposition alliance and the establishment, with Achakzai positioning Khan’s health as a symbol of a broader political manipulation distracting from demands for electoral integrity and constitutional governance.
