The Home Minister also blames India for terrorism in KP and Balochistan after the Bajaur terror attack.
Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Tuesday criticized what he described as the politicization of the health of jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan, accusing certain individuals of “playing politics” on the issue.
Dismissing misinformation circulating on social media, he urged the public to trust verified reports rather than what he called “propaganda” that has caused unnecessary anxiety. He said the government and medical teams had acted with full responsibility and transparency in providing treatment to the former prime minister.
Briefing the media about Imran’s medical treatment and living conditions amid concerns over his eye health, Naqvi said the former prime minister had been taken to the hospital for an eye injection under strict medical precautions.
“This was an ordinary procedure that had to be done. The doctors were already carrying out checks and everything was there. The injection was done as a precautionary measure in the hospital to ensure that there are no germs or complications,” he said, adding that all prisoners have the right to medical care.
Read: Medical board says Imran’s vision is improving
Naqvi said opposition leaders from the National Assembly and Senate, along with other representatives, visited the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences and met the treating doctors for one and a half hours.
He added that the doctors also consulted Imran Khan’s personal doctors over the phone for 45 minutes, answered detailed questions and rated the treatment as “excellent” and “the best possible care.”
The minister claimed that the medical check-up had been delayed for three days due to opposition and family vetoes, specifically naming Imran’s sister Aleema Khan.
“Aleema Khan has told her party members that if we agree on everything, then this issue will be resolved. Because of them, the medical check-up could not be done for three days. On one hand, they are demanding sympathy and relations, and on the other hand, a lot has been riding on this,” he said.
Naqvi further alleged that some people were seeking political benefits by exaggerating the situation. “The political leaders were almost all in agreement, but Aleema Khan used to veto it. She used to say no to everything. When they were presented with all the facts, they were there, but the problem is that they want to take advantage of this,” he said.
Reiterating his criticism of the politicization of the matter, the Home Minister maintained that Imran’s medical care was being handled in accordance with legal obligations and standard procedures.
Security situation in KP and Balochistan
Naqvi also highlighted the worsening security situation in the country, citing the recent terrorist attacks in Bajaur and Shangla.
“The fire of terrorism is rising in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Every day there is an incident. The KP government has to focus a lot on this, and they are doing it. I will not say that the KP police are not fighting; they are fighting well. But until the political leaders are on board, no fight can be won. All these things are harming it,” he said.
He also expressed concern over the unrest in Balochistan and warned that those trying to derail governance or incite chaos, particularly through digital platforms, were acting against public interest. “This is not a normal thing that happens in KP and the rest of Balochistan. If someone is intelligent and can see the situation clearly, he should find a logical solution,” he said.
The Home Minister blamed India for acting as a proxy behind the recent terror attacks, saying the strategy involved “pretending to be victims and at the same time carrying out these attacks”. He added that Pakistani authorities are now working on international platforms to expose and counter this tactic.
Naqvi urged political and party workers to prioritize sensible actions and avoid unnecessary tensions. “Sensible people are present everywhere, but the problem is that they are not listened to. The public and those people have to decide whether to go with the sensible people or with the rest of the people,” he said.
Imran Khan’s health
The developments come amid growing concerns about Imran’s eyesight deteriorating in custody, with the court noting that the PTI founder expressed dissatisfaction with the medical facilities available and specifically sought access to specialist ophthalmologists.
During the hearing, the Chief Justice of Pakistan observed that all prisoners, including Imran, should be provided with the same medical facilities and that health concerns take priority over other matters.
Following the proceedings, the Supreme Court ordered formation of a medical team to examine Imran’s eye and ordered that telephone contact with his children be completed by February 16.
Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan assured the court that the government would provide access to ophthalmologists and facilitate phone calls with Qasim and Salman.
Meanwhile, reports by lawyer Salman Safdar, acting as amicus curiae, detailed that Imran had suffered a sudden and complete loss of vision in his right eye and had been left with only 15% vision despite previous treatment.
The TTAP sit-in in Parliament entered its fifth day on Tuesday, with party leaders and relatives of jailed PTI founder Imran Khan demanding access amid growing concerns about his health.
TTAP spokesman Akhunzada Hussain Ahmed Yousafzai said the protest, which began on Friday, was aimed at allowing at least one family member or party representative to meet Khan and quell rumors about his condition.
Aleema reiterated that the family rejected the medical report submitted by the designated doctors at the jail and insisted that he be examined at Shifa International Hospital under the supervision of his personal doctor, adding that they would hold a press conference after the meeting.
