Court says proper medical treatment to be continued as per jail rules as PTI demands access to personal doctors
Imran Khan, founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. Photo: Archive
RAWALPINDI:
The Rawalpindi Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Saturday rejected Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s request for a medical check-up by his personal doctors.
Judge Amjad Shah announced the reserved verdict and the court stated that as per jail rules, Khan is receiving proper medical treatment. The judge issued a brief verdict.
Justice Shah heard the petition, which sought that the medical examination be conducted by doctors Dr Asim, Dr Khurram and Dr Samina. The defense argued that medical examination performed by personal physicians is a constitutional, legal and moral right. It was also argued that former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was provided access to personal doctors.
Read: Imran’s sisters question govt’s claim to provide report, urge CJP to initiate contempt proceedings
Under prison rule 795, the administration is obligated to inform the family about any type of medical checkup, the defense argued. Furthermore, the lawyer said that Imran Khan is a former prime minister, arguing that this is his fundamental right.
Speaking to the media outside the ATC, Khan’s lawyer Faisal Malik said the superintendent of Adiala jail did not submit a medical report but claimed that the PTI founder’s treatment is ongoing.
The verdict comes after many exchanges between the PTI and the federal government over Khan’s health. After reports emerged that the PTI founder was taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for eye treatment, the party stated that Khan’s family and lawyers were not informed about his transfer to the hospital or his medical condition.
PIMS previously confirmed that Imran Khan was taken to hospital, where, after obtaining his consent, he was administered an intravitreal anti-VEGF injection to treat a right central retinal vein occlusion. PTI rejected the PIMS report on Khan’s eye treatment, demanding that he be treated at Shaukat Khanum Hospital and his family be allowed to meet him.
Read more: Government submits report on Imran’s eye treatment
PTI leaders also staged a day-long sit-in in front of the Supreme Court, managing to obtain assurances that the authorities would provide Imran Khan’s medical report to his family.
PTI General Secretary Salman Akram Raja held a 30-minute meeting with CJP Afridi, during which PTI’s concerns were formally conveyed. The Chief Justice, along with the Attorney General and the Registrar of the Supreme Court, had assured that the medical reports would be provided to Imran Khan and his sisters, and that his personal doctors would have access to him once the reports were received.
