ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Friday clarified that PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan was taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for a medical examination rather than Shifa International Hospital, despite the Supreme Court’s earlier order regarding his treatment.
Tarar said doctors from Shifa International Hospital were present during the examination and that Imran Khan was returned to Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail after being declared medically fit.
According to the information minister, the decision to take the PTI founder to PIMS was made because of the security situation and an unusually large gathering of PTI workers on the route to and outside Shifa International Hospital.
“The medical examination was conducted at PIMS Hospital, in which doctors from Shifa Hospital were also present,” Tarar said.
He said a detailed examination found Imran medically fit and added that the former prime minister had received medical facilities in the past and would continue to receive treatment whenever required.
Tarar said Imran was shifted to the hospital during the night between August 20 and 21 under appropriate security arrangements in compliance with the Supreme Court’s directions.
A team of qualified specialists, including an ophthalmologist, cardiologist and physician, carried out his medical examination, while his sister Dr Uzma Khan remained present throughout the process, according to the minister.
After the completion of medical tests and treatment, Imran Khan was transferred back to Adiala Jail at around 5am on August 21, Tarar said.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry also confirmed that Imran’s sister had remained present during the examination. He said a medical board comprising specialist doctors assessed the PTI founder and declared his condition stable.
Chaudhry said Imran was moved to PIMS because of the exceptional security situation outside Shifa International Hospital. He added that specialists conducted a detailed examination, necessary diagnostic procedures and treatment before concluding the medical process.
“All necessary medical procedures have been completed, and the situation is clear,” he said, urging political parties to avoid turning the sensitive issue of Imran Khan’s health into political controversy or unnecessary sensationalism.
Earlier reports had suggested that Imran Khan was being transferred from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital shortly after midnight to comply with the Supreme Court’s order.
Heavy security had been deployed around Shifa and several roads leading to the hospital were temporarily closed. Police installed barbed wire at key points, while the Islamabad police chief and other senior officers reviewed security arrangements ahead of the deadline for implementing the court’s order.
PTI leaders had also appealed to party workers not to gather outside the hospital, in line with the Supreme Court’s directions prohibiting political activities, media talks and press conferences at the facility.
The development came after the government faced criticism from PTI leaders and Imran Khan’s lawyers over what they described as a delay in implementing the Supreme Court’s August 18 order. His lawyer, Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry, had warned that he could approach the apex court with a contempt petition over the alleged failure to comply with the directive.
Supreme Court’s order
The Supreme Court had earlier directed the government to shift Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital for medical treatment and arrange weekly meetings between him and his family.
The order was issued by a three-member bench headed by Justice Shahid Waheed while hearing petitions concerning Imran Khan’s access to family members, personal physicians and medical records.
The court’s proceedings followed reports submitted by a medical board and the Adiala Jail superintendent, which recommended more frequent meetings with his immediate family and spouse in view of concerns relating to his blood pressure and anxiety.
The Supreme Court also directed authorities to allow Imran Khan’s personal physician, Dr Faisal Sultan, access to him and ordered the formation of a medical board comprising an eye specialist, a general physician and a cardiologist, along with Dr Sultan. His sister Dr Uzma Khan was also to be associated with the board.
The court ruled that Imran Khan’s family would bear the cost of treatment and ordered that his medical reports remain confidential and not be shared with the media or used for political purposes.
It further prohibited political gatherings, media talks and press conferences outside the hospital, stressing that other patients should not be inconvenienced.
PTI representatives assured the court that no political activity would take place outside the hospital. The court also directed authorities to facilitate telephone conversations between Imran Khan and his children.
The apex court warned that its order could be withdrawn if its directives were violated, while allowing the government or other parties to approach the court over any concerns regarding its implementation.
