Imran Khan, founder of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf. Photo: Reuters/file
RAWALPINDI:
A medical team comprising senior doctors from leading hospitals in Islamabad arrived at Adiala Jail to conduct medical examination on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday.
The team has been waiting inside the Adiala jail since 2:30 p.m. to facilitate the check, with the invitation extended to representatives of the PTI leadership. However, despite the government’s invitation and the waiting period, no party leader came forward to attend the exam. The control would proceed if no representative arrived at the prison.
Later, the medical examination of the PTI founder began in Adiala jail in Rawalpindi.
Prison authorities said a team of specialist doctors, including Dr Amjad, Dr Nadeem Qureshi, Dr Sikandar and Dr Rafiq, were present at the facility. Adiala Jail Superintendent (SI) Abdul Ghafoor Anjum said the team, comprising experts from various hospitals, arrived with the necessary medical equipment.
He added that an eye examination of the former prime minister had been started under the supervision of a medical board and all preparations for a full medical check-up had been completed.
SI Anjum said the doctors had brought medical instruments and medicines with them and the examination was being conducted under tight security.
A medical report is expected to be prepared soon.
Read: Imran Khan’s prison medical records sent to Punjab Home Department
Earlier today, Adiala jail authorities sent Imran’s prison medical records to the Punjab Home Department.
The documentation includes a complete chart of the inmate’s vital signs, blood pressure, pulse, temperature and blood sugar levels.
A report detailing his ocular condition has also been sent, along with consultation reports and details of medical staff involved in his care.
The record specifies when and which doctors examined him.
Doctors on duty perform medical examinations and record vital signs three times a day. Daily medical evaluations and vital records are collected periodically, they said.
Earlier on Saturday, the federal government announced that it will shift the jailed PTI founder from Adiala jail to a hospital and form a medical board to monitor his medical condition “on humanitarian grounds”.
Imran, who reportedly lost 85% of his sight during his prolonged imprisonment, will also receive eye treatment at a specialized hospital by ophthalmology experts.
Two federal ministers took to social media platform X to make these announcements.
In his message, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said that in view of Imran’s illness, it was also decided to shift him to a hospital and form a medical board.
“The government prioritizes humanitarian considerations and legal requirements. It is the government’s responsibility to provide each prisoner with facilities in accordance with the law.”
According to the minister, sensitive issues such as health should not be politicized. He urged the PTI to refrain from making baseless propaganda or gaining political points.
“The government is fulfilling its responsibilities. Instead of politicizing this issue, seriousness and national tolerance must be demonstrated,” he stated.
On the other hand, Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced that Imran’s eye treatment will be carried out in a specialized hospital by ophthalmology experts.
“As part of the ongoing treatment of Imran’s eye, additional examinations and treatments will be carried out by ophthalmological specialists at a specialized medical institution,” he said in a post.
He added that a detailed report will also be submitted to the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
The Minister of Information further stated that speculation, unfounded news and attempts to give the matter a political color for the benefit of personal interests should be avoided.
Read more: Government decides to transfer Imran to hospital
On Saturday, Imran also found it easier to talk to his sons, Kasim and Sulaiman, over the phone. Adiala Jail authorities confirmed that the founder was allowed to talk to his children, stating that the conversation was arranged in compliance with Supreme Court orders.
Following the submission of a report by Imran’s lawyer Salman Safdar on Imran’s health conditions in Adiala jail, the Supreme Court ordered that Imran be given access to an ophthalmologist and also be allowed to talk to his children. who live in the UK.
According to the report by Salman Safdar, who was appointed amicus curiae by the court, Imran has lost 85% of vision in his right eye. Safdar also expressed dissatisfaction with the medical facilities provided to the former prime minister in jail.
The amicus curiae report stated that Imran expressed serious concern about his eye condition and demanded immediate access to specialist doctors.
Also read: More than it seems
Meanwhile, opposition party lawmakers continued their sit-in in Parliament for the second day, demanding that Imran be shifted to a hospital.
Due to the protest, all routes leading to Parliament remained closed on Saturday while authorities deployed a large contingent of police and prisoner vans to the area.
A protest also continued in front of the KP House and all roads surrounding the building remained blocked with senior police officials present in front of the KP House.
Speaking to the media outside the KP House, former KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said that right now their biggest demand is proper treatment of Imran.
“We are sitting here for the PTI founder and we will continue to sit here. We have even expanded our sit-in. We demand that Imran be treated under the supervision of his personal doctor or a family member,” he said.
Current KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi also spoke on the issue and said that social media posts by federal ministers do not prove that Imran will be treated under the supervision of his personal and family doctors.
“If this really happens, the matter will be resolved here. We will end the sit-in, but if it does not happen, after consulting with the party leadership, the future course of action will be decided collectively,” he said.
