‘Govt resists IK’s medical examination’: PTI threatens to quit NA

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Friday threatened to quit the National Assembly, accusing the government of making it impossible for the opposition to remain in parliament amid a row over the medical examination of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan.

The warning came during a heated session of National assembly over the authorities’ decision to take Khan to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), rather than Shifa International Hospital, despite a Supreme Court order for his examination at the latter facility.

Speaking on a point of order, acting PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said the treatment being meted out to his party suggested that “some people” did not want PTI to remain part of the Assembly.

“Perhaps in a few days, we may no longer be part of this Assembly. Congratulations on your style of democracy,” he said.

He added that if certain forces did not want PTI to remain in parliament, the party would have to take a decision accordingly.

“Perhaps you also do not want us to remain part of this system, so we will make a decision in the coming days,” he said.

He said PTI had urged its supporters to respect the apex court’s order and stay away from Shifa International, asking: “But who was it that suddenly took Khan to another hospital during the night.”

Opposition Leader in National Assembly Mehmood Khan Achakzai said people across Pakistan had celebrated after learning that, under the court’s orders, Khan was being taken to Shifa International for examination.

Instead, he said, the authorities took the former prime minister to PIMS, describing the move as a violation of the apex court’s order and “contempt of court”.

He also regretted that Khan’s sister, DrUzma, was summoned to Adiala Jail on the pretext of accompanying him to Shifa but was instead confined to a room at the jail and later at PIMS.

He alleged that elements within the government were deliberately attempting to sabotage relations between PTI and the government.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif Responds to Opposition Criticism

Responding forcefully to the opposition’s tirade against the government, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif hit back at the PTI over what he described as its past mockery of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s health, particularly his platelet count.

He said Sharif had undergone two surgeries two months earlier, yet questions about his platelet count continued to be raised.

He alleged that Khan himself had mocked the issue in “hundreds” of videos and said the illness had even been ridiculed at political rallies in the United States, despite being genuine.

Asif reminded the opposition that, despite his party’s entire leadership being imprisoned during the PTI government, its members continued attending parliament without threatening retaliation against those in power.

“What did you do when you were in power? Problems are not solved this way,” he said, warning the opposition against putting parliament “at stake”.

Asif said that, if allowed, he could play videos in the House concerning Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Kulsoom Nawaz, Maryam Nawaz and Hamza Shehbaz to expose the PTI’s past political rhetoric.

He called for greater political tolerance, accusing the opposition of dragging political standards “into the gutter.”

Turning to Khan’s health, Asif said he was in good health, accused the opposition of politicising his condition, and said Khan’s sister DrUzmahad met him and could attest to his wellbeing.

According to Asif, Khan’s eye problem had gradually improved, while a minor blood-pressure issue was being treated with medication.

“I swear that Imran Khan has no problem and his health is completely fine,” he said, adding that details of Khan’s health would eventually be made public.

Recalling his illness and imprisonment during the PTI government, Asif said doctors had recommended hernia surgery, but then-prime minister Imran Khan demanded a video to prove the operation was actually being performed, which Asif said remained in his possession.

Concluding his speech, the minister said this was how the PTI had treated its political rivals, particularly Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), while reiterating that Imran Khan was “hale and hearty”.

“You will see the doctor’s report on Imran Khan’s health, and so will we,” he added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026