ISLAMABAD: Qayyum Khan, who suffers from thyroid cancer, sat at PTI’s sit-in for over a week, hoping that he would draw the attention of party chief Imran Khan to his ailment and get free treatment at Shaukat Khanum Hospital in Lahore.

He did manage to attract attention, but not of Imran Khan. It was Pakistan Baitul Mal (PBM) Managing Director Abid Waheed Sheikh who saw him on one of the TV channels and contacted him.

Chaudhry Shahid, a PTI supporter, told Dawn that Imran Khan’s financial support to a 16-year-old Daniyal Tanvir, a cardiac patient, gave hope to Qayyum as well, but he did not succeed.

“Not only did the PBM chief send him to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) and Combined Military Hospital (CMH) for checkup, he also handed him an additional amount of Rs60,000 as financial aid,” Chaudhry Shahid said.

Qayyum Khan, while talking to Dawn, said he had been trying to meet Mr Khan for the last one week but without any success.

“I am a native of Malakand Division, but have been living in Rawalpindi for the last 23 years. I used to sell different items on handcart but because of cancer and hepatitis C I have been without work for the last six months,” he said.

“I have six children and we live in a house in Dhoke Hassu for Rs4,000 rent. It has now become impossible for me to pay the rent anymore,” he said.

The PBM managing director, Abid Waheed Sheikh, told Dawn that he came to know through media that a cancer patient was participating in the PTI sit-in.

“I immediately called him and after hearing his problem I sent him to Pims and CMH for checkup where doctors suggested him to undergo surgery,” he said.

Published in Dawn, August 27th , 2014