PTI Calls Government’s Handling of Imran Khan’s Health Misleading, Theatrical

Waqas Akram has strongly criticised the government’s handling of PTI founder’s health, raising serious questions over the implementation of the Supreme Court’s directions regarding his medical examination and treatment.

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram said that Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar’s statement once again exposed what he described as the government’s familiar pattern of theatrics and misleading conduct. He called on the government to clarify whether the Supreme Court’s order had been implemented in its true letter and spirit or whether a superficial exercise had been carried out to mislead the court and the nation.

In a statement issued by PTI Central Media Department (CMD) on Friday, he strongly reacted to the Federal Information Minister’s statement who stated that PTI founder Imran Khan underwent a medical check-up at the hospital before being shifted back to Adiala jail, adding that he was declared “medically fit”.

PTI CIS said that the Supreme Court had issued clear directions for the transfer of PTI founder Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital and for the constitution of a comprehensive medical board to assess his health.

Waqas Akram stated that the court’s directions required the inclusion of Dr Faisal Sultan in the medical board, while Dr Uzma Khan was also to be present during the medical process.

“Declaring the PTI founder medically fit after a few hours of what appears to have been a merely symbolic exercise and then shifting him back to Adiala Jail before dawn raises serious questions,” he added.

PTI CIS said that after years of solitary confinement, restricted access to proper medical facilities, and concerns relating to Imran Khan’s eyesight and blood pressure, suddenly declaring him medically fit was difficult to accept and demanded a transparent explanation.

Waqas Akram asked the government to clarify whether the Supreme Court’s order had been implemented in its true spirit or whether a superficial exercise had been carried out in an attempt to mislead the court and the nation.

He demanded that Imran Khan’s complete medical reports be immediately made available to the Supreme Court and the public.

“Imran Khan’s health and dignity are not a political game. They are his fundamental human rights,” he said.

Waqas Akram said there appeared to be serious concerns regarding possible non-compliance with the court’s directions and called for complete transparency regarding every stage of the medical examination and treatment.

“Things are not as simple as Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar is attempting to portray them,” he said, adding that mere statements and symbolic measures were not sufficient.

“The government must ensure transparency in the matter of Imran Khan’s health and provide him with the required medical facilities and an independent medical examination,” Waqas Akram stressed.

He said it was the government’s responsibility to keep the nation informed of the facts concerning the health of the PTI founder.

“All the facts and the positions of different parties will soon come before the nation,” he added.

PTI CIS said that the ongoing cycle of fascsim and political victimisation must come to an immediate end.