Imran case: Govt urges CNN to distinguish ‘verified records’ from ‘politically contested allegations’

Pakistan government has urged CNN to distinguish between verified custodial and medical records and politically contested allegations regarding PTI founding chairman Imran Khan’s health, as shared by CNN’s Connect the World host and Abu Dhabi Managing Editor Becky Anderson on X on Saturday.

The statement came in response to a video interview of Imran’s close aide Zulfi Bukhari, who made the allegations that the government violated the apex court’s categorical orders.

Bukhari has alleged that the government violated a categorical order of the Supreme Court by taking the incarcerated former prime minister to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) instead of Shifa International Hospital for treatment.

Bukhari said Imran’s personal physician, Dr Faisal Sultan, was also not allowed to examine him during the recent medical checkup.

Anderson said Imran’s family, political party and former fellow cricketers had been “sounding the alarm” over his health in prison. She said she spoke to Bukhari about Imran’s latest condition and a court case filed by his party against the Pakistani government over his hospital visit last week.

The CNN host also referred to a recent interview with Sky Sports in which Imran’s sons, Kasim and Sulaiman, expressed fears that their father might not come out of prison alive.

Anderson, however, also shared a statement obtained by CNN from PIMS regarding Imran’s treatment.

PIMS said Imran was brought to the hospital in Islamabad during the intervening night of August 20 and 21, for medical examination and treatment.

According to the hospital, two specialists from Shifa International Hospital participated in the ophthalmological assessment, while other examinations were conducted by relevant PIMS specialists.

PIMS said the clinical input from the ophthalmological assessment was considered alongside the findings of investigations conducted at the hospital.

“Keeping in view patient privacy and the directions of the Honorable Supreme Court of Pakistan,” PIMS said it would not disclose the confidential contents of Imran’s medical report.

In its response to CNN interview, the Pakistan government categorically rejected allegations that Imran was being subjected to punitive solitary confinement, cruelty, deprivation or inadequate medical care.

The government said Imran’s imprisonment followed convictions by courts of competent jurisdiction and was governed by the Pakistan Prison Rules, applicable judicial directions and security arrangements for a high-profile prisoner.

It said Imran was being provided visits, telephone calls, reading material, television access, home-cooked food and exercise equipment in accordance with prison rules and court directions.

The government said his accommodation included an exclusive seven-cell compound with sleeping, sanitation and exercise facilities, while he was being provided separately prepared meals including meat, chicken, fruit, milk, nuts, juices and bottled water.

Rejecting claims that Imran had been completely isolated from his family, the government said prison records showed about 198 interview sessions involving more than 900 visitor entries since his imprisonment.

These, it said, included his sisters, family members, lawyers, doctors, political representatives and other approved visitors.

The government also said Imran had been permitted weekly meetings with his wife, with the latest recorded meeting taking place on August 4.

It added that prison records documented telephone, landline and WhatsApp communication with family members in Pakistan and abroad, including a telephone conversation with one of his sons on March 21.

According to the government, meetings with Imran’s sisters were also recorded on August 18, 19 and 25.

Govt says Imran received specialist medical care

The government further rejected allegations that Imran had been denied appropriate medical treatment or that authorities had failed to comply with Supreme Court directions.

It said Imran had undergone approximately 30 medical examinations by specialist teams and medical boards since his imprisonment, involving institutions including PIMS, Shifa International, Shaukat Khanum and Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, in addition to regular examinations by the prison doctor.

The government said that following the diagnosis of a retinal condition, Imran received specialist treatment including five intravitreal anti-VEGF injections, retinal imaging, medication and follow-up examinations.

It said specialist assessments, including those conducted in July and on August 21, described him as “oriented” and “stable”, with no recorded acute or unmanaged deterioration.

The government also referred to comments attributed to Imran’s sister, Dr Uzma Khan, who it said recently described him as “100 percent fit”, cited a blood pressure reading of 120/80 and said his eye condition had almost completely healed.

The government said Uzma also praised the treating eye specialist, arguing that her account did not support allegations of deliberate or systematic medical neglect.

‘SC orders fully implemented’

The government maintained that the Supreme Court’s orders had been fully implemented, saying Imran was examined in accordance with the court’s directions and that the necessary medical and administrative arrangements were made.

It also said his sister was present during the medical examination.

The government said the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had consistently maintained that health matters should not be politicised and that authorities had no interest in politicising Imran’s medical condition.

It further pointed to the Supreme Court’s direction that, pending further proceedings, members of Imran’s family, his political party and associated lawyers should not disclose or share his health condition or medical reports with the media or public.

Govt says sons can travel to Pakistan

Responding to suggestions that Imran’s sons were unable to travel to Pakistan to visit him, the government said both held valid National Identity Cards for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOPs).

It said a valid NICOP is a recognised travel document for entry into Pakistan and can be used by them to travel to the country.

The government, however, said prison visitation remained subject to applicable prison rules, judicial directions and security procedures.

The government urged CNN to reflect what it described as “documented facts” in further reporting and to distinguish between verified custodial and medical records and “politically contested allegations.”