Islamabad hospitals told to prepare for 'mass casualty incident' ahead of PTI protest

Hospitals in Islamabad have allegedly been ordered to prepare for a possible “humanitarian crisis” and “mass casualty incident” ahead of a planned September 27 protest by jailed former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

The instructions to Islamabad hospitals called for all scheduled elective surgeries to be postponed indefinitely and surgical departments to be prepared for a possible surge in patients, according to documents reviewed by Drop Site.

Medical and support staff were ordered to remain available, with all forms of leave suspended. Hospitals were also told to recall employees who were already on leave.

The measures were issued ahead of PTI’s planned September 27 march, which the party says is intended to demand Khan’s release. The preparations have already affected patients. People familiar with the situation told Drop Site that patients scheduled for surgery on Monday were informed that their procedures would be postponed.

The government has not publicly said that the hospital preparations are specifically linked to a crackdown on PTI protesters. The documents, however, explicitly refer to preparations for a potential “humanitarian crisis” and “mass casualty incident”.

The hospital preparations also came as authorities detained Khan’s three sisters – Aleema Khan, Noreen Niazi and Dr Uzma Khan – along with other members of his family, while several PTI leaders and workers were also arrested ahead of the planned march on Islamabad. Eight members of Khan’s family were reportedly detained within 24 hours.

The children were later released after several hours, according to Aleema Khan’s son Shershah Khan, while Khan’s sisters remained in custody. Aleema Khan was detained under Section 3 of Pakistan’s Maintenance of Public Order law, with a formal order issued by Lahore’s deputy commissioner authorising her detention for 30 days, according to documents obtained by Drop Site. Similar detention orders circulated for Noreen Niazi and Uzma Khan.

The arrests came after authorities stepped up action against PTI members ahead of the September 27 mobilisation. PTI has alleged that party offices were raided and elected representatives and workers were detained across the country.

The arrests have come amid continuing concerns from Khan’s family and supporters over his health and prison conditions. Khan’s primary healthcare provider, Dr Faisal Sultan, has reportedly not been allowed to visit him for several weeks. Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023 after his government was removed from office following a no-confidence vote. PTI has continued to demand his release.