Imran's health sparks clashing narratives

ISLAMABAD:

As the health of PTI founder Imran Khan once again becomes a flashpoint, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai on Tuesday formally appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for personal intervention to allow the jailed leader to be examined by his "trusted" doctors, while the government maintained that the ex-premier is already receiving adequate medical care.

In a letter shared by Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) on X, Achakzai said he was writing "with utmost urgency" regarding the health of the former prime minister, who is currently incarcerated at Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail.

"I am writing with utmost urgency to bring to your immediate attention a serious matter concerning the health of former prime minister and PTI Chairman, Mr Imran Khan, who is currently detained at Adiala jail, Rawalpindi."

Achakzai said he had learned that recent medical check-ups were conducted "without the knowledge or presence of his personal medical team or family members".

"His personal doctors, who are fully aware of his medical history, were not informed."

"A full medical examination and tests by his trusted doctors is critically needed without any delay to properly assess and manage his health, in line with medical ethics, legal obligations, and fundamental human rights."

He named Dr Muhammad Aasim Yusuf, Dr Prof Mazhar Ishaq and Dr Prof Aamir Awan as the doctors who should be allowed to examine the former premier.

"Your immediate personal intervention to ensure this medical access is needed so that the health and well-being of the former prime minister is safeguarded."

The letter came days after media reports revealed that Imran had been treated at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), a fact later acknowledged by the government.

Similarly, Pims Executive Director Prof Dr Rana Imran Sikander confirmed that the procedure had been completed "smoothly" and that Imran remained "stable" during treatment.

"It (the procedure) was completed smoothly in approximately 20 minutes. During the treatment, the patient remained vitally stable and was discharged with routine post-procedure care instructions and follow-up advice and documents."

However, PTI condemned the "secret transfer" of Imran to Pims, alleging that his family and party leadership were deliberately kept uninformed and that he was denied access to his personal physicians.

'Excellent hospital'

Meanwhile, the issue also spilled into the Senate on Tuesday, where Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said Pims was "an excellent hospital" and claimed Imran himself had requested to be taken there for treatment.

He told the House that the PTI founder had said he could be taken in the evening if security was a concern and reiterated that the Pims executive director had already addressed the matter in a press conference.

Tarar said that if any further medical issues arose, similar facilities would be provided. He added that Imran had personally requested a particular injection from Pims.

The law minister said the Constitution guaranteed rights to all, but also followed a legal process.

He said the former prime minister had been convicted through due process in a case involving the sale of a diamond necklace worth Rs45 million at a reduced price.

Tarar said responsibility for a convicted prisoner rested with the appellate courts, and that any complaint regarding prison facilities could be taken up with the jail superintendent or the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

Referring to his own party's experiences, Tarar recalled that Rana Sanaullah had suffered eye paralysis before his arrest and was denied medical access while being made to sleep on the floor in extreme heat.

He said the prime minister had never instructed that Imran be denied medical facilities and had directed the health secretary to hold a press conference with the Pims executive director.

Tarar insisted the PTI founder's health was "absolutely fine".

Opposition demands access

Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas said Imran was the country's most popular leader and had not been examined by his personal doctors for 14 months.

He said informing family members and allowing medical access was a constitutional obligation and a basic right.

He proposed a joint committee of government and opposition senators to visit Imran, meet his family and personal doctors, and report back.

"Even a cruel person should not be treated cruelly," he said.

PTI Senator Ali Zafar termed the matter a human rights issue, saying Imran's doctors had warned that the condition could permanently damage his eye.

He recalled that when Nawaz Sharif was imprisoned, his platelet issue was treated as a humanitarian concern and he was granted access to doctors and allowed to travel abroad.

Ali Zafar demanded that Imran's doctors be allowed to meet him immediately, that a report be sought from Pims, and that two senators accompany the doctors during the visit.