PTI blasts govt for ignoring repeated calls to allow IK for checkup

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday blasted the government for ignoring repeated calls from the party to allow jailed former prime minister Imran Khan to see his doctors, while reiterating demands for his immediate release to receive urgent treatment at Shaukat Khanum Cancer Memorial Hospital (SKMCH).

In a statement, PTI spokesman Sheikh Waqas Akram raised serious concerns following an admission by Information Minister Attaullah Tarar that Khan was transferred to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) on January 24 for a medical procedure under the cover of night.Akram condemned the government’s description of the transfer as a “routine 20-minute procedure,” calling it an attempt to downplay what he called a life-threatening emergency.

He claimed that reports indicated Khan was kept at PIMS for over three hours, surrounded by “terrifying silence” and secrecy, which further raised alarms about his condition.

He accused the government of violating Khan’s basic rights, highlighting the regime’s failure to address concerns about his health, despite the previous assassination attempt on Khan’s life and ongoing legal battles involving hundreds of fabricated cases.

He also questioned the secrecy surrounding the hospital transfer, pointing out that if it had been a routine medical procedure, Khan’s family should have been informed, and he should not have been kept isolated for hours without any explanation.

Furthermore, Akram rejected claims of “written approval” for the transfer, saying such documents obtained while Khan was cut off from his lawyers are legally and morally invalid.

He called for the immediate public release of any such approval documents and criticised the government for lecturing about jail procedures, citing the regime’s actions during PTI’s November 26 protest.

The PTI spokesperson expressed deep concern that if Khan’s transfer was indeed prompted by health issues, it indicates that he was already unwell.

However, access to Khan by his family, lawyers, and party officials had been blocked for over 86 days, which Akram called unacceptable.

He concluded by demanding that Khan be allowed to meet with his family, personal doctors from SKMCH, and his lawyers.

He called the ongoing denial of these rights a violation of the constitution and an affront to the country’s judiciary.

He further emphasised the public’s right to be reassured about the health and safety of the former prime minister, warning that Khan is a “red line” for millions of Pakistanis.

He cautioned that if any damage were to occur to his eye due to infection or any other health issue, the full responsibility would lie with the current regime, and those responsible would not be forgiven by the people.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026