ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf on Wednesday accused the government of politicizing Imran Khan’s health, demanding the immediate transfer of the imprisoned former prime minister to a hospital and warning that his medical care must not become a casualty of political rivalry.
The PTI was reacting to a press conference by Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry, whose remarks about Khan’s health and treatment at Adiala Jail were described by the party as “deeply regrettable, irresponsible and shameful.”
In a statement, PTI said Khan’s health was a humanitarian and fundamental rights issue, not a matter for political point-scoring.
The party said Khan’s family, personal physicians and legal team had repeatedly raised concerns about his health and access to appropriate medical care while he remains incarcerated.
PTI also challenged the government’s claim that Khan was receiving adequate treatment and all necessary medical facilities at Adiala Jail, pointing to a medical report submitted to Supreme Court of Pakistan by the jail superintendent.
According to PTI, the Supreme Court subsequently ordered Khan’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital, the formation of a three-member specialist medical board and the inclusion of his personal physicians in his treatment.
The party questioned why such measures would have been ordered if, as the ministers claimed, Khan’s treatment at Adiala Jail was satisfactory.
PTI also invoked the case of ex-premier Nawaz Sharif, saying the previous PTI government had allowed him to travel abroad for medical treatment and had recognized his right to receive care despite political differences.
It said then-health minister Dr Yasmin Rashid and other PTI leaders had supported Sharif’s access to medical treatment, while Khan himself had expressed good wishes for his recovery.
The party said the government’s current position raised questions about whether political considerations had overtaken humanitarian and ethical considerations.
“If the government had any reservations concerning Khan’s health or treatment, it should have presented its position before the court,” PTI said, adding that once an order had been issued, attempts to undermine it through public statements were unacceptable.
PTI said the Supreme Court’s directions also covered access for Khan’s family and telephone contact with his sons, and stressed that judicial orders were not subject to the government’s discretion.
The party demanded Khan’s immediate transfer to Shifa International Hospital, unrestricted access for the specialist medical board and full participation by his personal physicians.
“Imran Khan’s life and health cannot be sacrificed at the altar of political victimisation,” PTI said, urging the government to put medical necessity and the rule of law ahead of political point-scoring.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026