Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has criticised the PTI over the medical issue concerning its founder, Imran Khan, saying that the matter is being politicised and that the party is spreading false propaganda. He said the government’s position from the outset has been that health-related matters should not be politicised.
In an important statement, he said that when he was in the opposition, his position was that health issues should not be politicised. He said that even now, as a member of the government, his stance remains the same. However, false propaganda is being spread, and the issue is being politicised. “Politics should not be brought into matters concerning health,” he said.
Information Minister said that the PTI founder had previously made derogatory remarks about people’s health. He said that when the order concerning the PTI founder’s health was issued, the government did not adopt a contemptuous attitude. Instead, it filed a review petition asking whether the same facility was available to every prisoner. He added that the Supreme Court’s order was implemented and the PTI founder was medically examined. His sister and doctors from Shifa Hospital were also present during the examination.
The Federal Information Minister said the government had filed a review petition before the Supreme Court, presenting all relevant legal and factual grounds. He said the government had fulfilled all requirements under the court’s order and arranged a medical examination of PTI founder Imran Khan. He said doctors from Shifa International Hospital were also present during Imran Khan’s medical examination, while his sister was in attendance as well. A team comprising ophthalmologists, cardiologists and physicians conducted a detailed medical examination and declared Imran Khan medically fit.
Tarar said the government had also raised the question in its review petition of whether similar medical facilities were available to all other prisoners. He clarified that the government’s objective was not to deprive anyone of medical treatment, but to seek clarity on uniform principles and policies regarding medical facilities for prisoners.
The Federal Information Minister said all requirements under the court’s order had been fulfilled. Imran Khan was taken for a medical examination, with his sister also present during the process. He said treatment of the PTI founder had never been stopped and that he had continued to receive medical care. Tarar added that the matter should not be politicised, alleging that the prisoner’s family and the PTI had violated court orders and committed contempt of court by politicising the issue.
Tarar said all arrangements had been made to shift Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital. However, due to security concerns, he was taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), where he underwent a medical examination before being transferred back to Adiala Jail. He reiterated that the government’s position from the outset had been that health issues should not be politicised. He added that medical facilities would continue to be provided to Imran Khan whenever required.