Information Minister dismisses health rumors, says former PM is ‘absolutely healthy’
Imran Khan, founder of PTI. PHOTO: ARCHIVE
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Thursday said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is imprisoned in Adiala Jail, was briefly shifted to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) for medical treatment.
His statement came amid growing concern expressed by senior opposition leaders about Khan’s health. On Wednesday, top leaders of the PTI and allied parties held a joint press conference, raising the alarm over what they described as the continued denial of access to the jailed former prime minister, a day after reports emerged that he was suffering from an eye infection.
“The last meeting with Imran Khan took place on December 20, after which party functionaries and his family members were not allowed to meet him,” PTI president Advocate Gohar Ali Khan said at the press conference. He added that a petition had been filed with the court seeking permission to meet Khan, but approval had not yet been granted.
Speaking to a private news channel on Thursday, Tarar said ophthalmological specialists had examined Khan at Adiala Jail and advised that he be shifted to Pims for further evaluation and treatment.
Read: Imran’s ‘hospital admission’ worries PTI
Following doctors’ recommendations, Tarar said, Khan was taken to the hospital on Saturday night.
According to the minister, Pims doctors carried out another examination of Khan’s eyes and, after obtaining his written consent, carried out a small medical intervention that lasted about 20 minutes.
After the procedure, Khan was shifted back to Adiala Jail along with necessary medical instructions, Tarar said, adding that his vital signs remained stable throughout and his general health was satisfactory.
“He’s absolutely healthy,” Tarar said. He added that prisoners have access to medical facilities and specialized care when necessary, in accordance with prison regulations.
Tarar rejected rumors circulating on social media about Khan’s condition and said claims that the former prime minister’s health was serious were false.
“Alhamdulillah, he is completely fine,” he said, reiterating that the hospital visit was solely for a minor eye-related procedure performed on medical advice.
