Islamabad, Jan 30 (.) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Salman Akram Raja on Friday declared that the family of party founder and former prime minister Imran Khan would be provided a copy of his medical report, following a day-long sit-in by party leaders and lawmakers outside the premises of the Pakistan Supreme Court.
The demonstration staged in Islamabad was attended by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, Senate opposition leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, PTI lawmakers and party workers, with a similar protest being staged outside Adiala Jail late Thursday night.
Speaking to reporters outside the SC premises, Raja said the protest was geared towards facilitating a meeting between the incarcerated ex-premier and his personal physicians, in addition to obtaining clarity about his recent medical treatment.
The development follows confirmation by federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, who said Khan did indeed undergo a brief medical procedure for an eye ailment last week at Islamabad’s Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS). According to the minister, the former premier was taken to the hospital on the night of January 24 for a 20-minute procedure.
Raja said PTI leaders remained in contact throughout the day with the chief justice of Pakistan, court officials and the attorney general, but described the outcome as “unsatisfactory.”
He said the authorities had agreed to hand over Imran Khan’s medical reports —covering his diagnosis in jail and treatment at PIM S—in a sealed envelope to the former prime minister, with a copy to be given to his family, including his sisters.
“Once the report is before the family, they will decide whether the treatment being provided is satisfactory and what further steps are needed,” Raja said, adding that Imran Khan’s health was the party’s top concern.
Alleging that the former premier had been taken to the hospital without informing his family, with contradictory statements being issued afterwards to veil the truth, Raja remarked that PTI would continue carrying on with its protests to secure Imran Khan’s visitation and medical rights. The party’s political committee would meet later in the day to decide the next course of action in consultation with the two National Assembly opposition leaders and political allies, Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Raja Nasir Abbas.
In a prior address to the media, CM Afridi said the nation was deeply concerned about Khan’s health and warned that the party would announce further action if a meeting with his personal doctors was not arranged.
PTI leaders also reiterated demands that specialists from Shaukat Khanum Hospital be allowed to examine the former prime minister, arguing that secrecy around his treatment was fuelling anxiety among his family and supporters. . . .