Says board will monitor PTI founder’s health; Former Prime Minister’s eyes will be examined by experts; Opposition sit-in continues
Imran Khan, founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). SCREENSHOT/File
ISLAMABAD:
In a major development, the federal government announced that it will shift jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan 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.
On Saturday, 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 gives priority to 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 Khan’s eye treatment will be carried out in a specialized hospital by ophthalmology experts.
“As part of the ongoing treatment of Imran Khan’s eye, additional examinations and treatments will be carried out by ophthalmic 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.
On Saturday, Imran Khan was also able to speak 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 Khan’s lawyer Salman Safdar on Imran’s health conditions in Adiala Jail, the Supreme Court ordered that Imran Khan 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 Khan expressed serious concern about his eye condition and demanded immediate access to specialist doctors.
Meanwhile, opposition party lawmakers continued their sit-in in Parliament for the second day demanding that Imran Khan 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 Khan.
“We are sitting here for the founder of PTI and we will continue to sit here. We have even expanded our sit-in. Our demand is that Imran Khan be treated under the supervision of his personal doctor or a member of his family,” 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 Khan will be treated under the supervision of his personal doctor and family members.
“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.
