Government Defends Imran Khan’s Hospital Transfer as PTI Demands Transparency

By Zeeshan Naseem :

The government provided a detailed account in the Senate on Tuesday regarding the late-night medical examination of PTI founder Imran Khan, confirming he received the second dose of treatment for his eye condition while his party raised objections over what it termed secrecy surrounding the procedure.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar informed the upper house that the former prime minister was transferred to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad with his consent, where a four-member board of specialist doctors conducted a comprehensive medical assessment.

According to the minister, the medical board included Professor Nadeem Qureshi, a retinal expert from Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, and Professor Arif, Head of Ophthalmology at PIMS, who jointly evaluated Khan’s health through ophthalmological, cardiac and general medical reviews.

Following their assessment, doctors administered the prescribed second dose of anti-VEGF intravitreal injection for his diagnosed eye condition. Cardiologists also performed special tests including ECG and echocardiogram, while laboratory investigations were carried out to review his overall health.

Security and Legal Framework

Tarar explained that Khan was brought to the hospital at around 11:30 pm and returned to Adiala Jail after completion of all procedures. The night schedule was chosen due to security and operational considerations, as significantly increasing security during regular hours could disrupt emergency services and routine patient care.

The law minister emphasised that the examination was conducted strictly within the framework of the law and the jail manual, stating that medical procedures for prisoners are governed under existing legal provisions and do not permit special arrangements outside prescribed rules.

“There is no provision in the law for a prisoner to be examined by a doctor of his choice,” Tarar said in response to opposition demands. He clarified that the same treatment could have been provided inside jail, but the former premier was taken to the hospital in accordance with his wishes.

PTI Raises Objections

Reacting to the development, PTI posted on its official X account that the situation demands transparency, not secrecy. The party stated that clandestine actions only give rise to more questions and asked what authorities were hiding.

Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khanum expressed dismay that the family learned of the procedure through news reports. She stated that they do not trust diagnosis or test reports from government medical facilities and demanded that her brother be shifted to Shifa International Hospital under the supervision of his personal physicians and in the presence of family members.

The opposition alliance Tehreek-i-Tahaffuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan also reiterated its demand for the former prime minister to receive treatment at a private facility, arguing that cultural traditions do not permit such procedures without informing the family, even if the law allows it.

Next Procedure Scheduled

Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhary informed the House that the PTI founder is scheduled to receive his next injection on March 24 as part of his ongoing treatment plan. He stated that doctors had reported improvement in his vision following the first procedure and that all legal and humanitarian requirements were fulfilled during his transfer under strict security arrangements.

Tarar further clarified that matters relating to release, bail or foreign travel of a convicted prisoner fall under the jurisdiction of courts. Citing constitutional provisions, he said the government remained committed to implementing legal provisions without discrimination.

Kacheri Blast Compensation

During the same Senate sitting, the law minister also responded to a query regarding compensation for victims of the G-11 Kacheri blast. He said senior officials including the interior minister had promptly reached the site and supervised relief efforts, with the injured receiving closely monitored medical treatment. On the prime minister’s directives, a comprehensive compensation package had been approved to support the bereaved families and injured individuals.

Visitation Denied

Meanwhile, Khan’s sisters were once again not allowed to meet him in Adiala jail, despite court-mandated visitation days. Aleema Khanum posted on X that police stopped them en route at Dahgal Naka before reaching the prison gate. During their attempt, another sister Noreen Khan was injured when she slipped and fell into an under-construction drain.