Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Tuesday alleged that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, was responsible for a delay in the medical treatment of the incarcerated former prime minister.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Naqvi summarized Khan’s medical examination in Adiala Jail on Sunday, emphasizing details of the same were shared with the PTI founder’s personal physician as well as opposition leaders. “[Imran Khan’s] doctors said, ‘excellent. Had we done the treatment, we would have done the same’. Political leaders said, ‘we are satisfied, and we will tell our people about this’,” he said, adding Khan’s physician was asked if they wished for any further tests but they had said none were required.
“Aleema Khan sahiba told her party that if we accept this [treatment], the issue will die down. Due to her, the medical check-up could not be conducted for three days,” he alleged, lamenting the PTI had politicized the issue. He further claimed Aleema had told the PTI leadership that accepting the findings of the medical examination would “weaken” their position, adding the issue could have been resolved much earlier if there were willingness from the opposition.
On Monday, the government submitted to the Supreme Court a medical report pertaining to the condition and treatment of Khan’s right eye. The report stated that Khan’s vision had improved following treatment and doctors had recommended continuing the present course, with a second injection due next week.
Despite this, the opposition alliance and PTI activists and supporters are continuing protests, demanding Khan be shifted to hospital and granted access to his personal physicians and family members.
Referring to the demonstrations, the interior minister alleged the opposition was politicizing and exploiting Khan’s health. Maintaining the government did not wish to politicize the situation, he said the PTI was asked to nominate a recognized eye specialist for the examination. He further said the party was informed that if doctors believed Khan’s treatment required hospitalization, it would be done, but the transfer to hospital would not happen without this.
Detailing the examination on Sunday, Naqvi said doctors had waited for PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan to reach Adiala, but he had said he was barred from attending by the party leadership. He then said Khan’s doctor was also invited to attend the examination, but the government was informed he was in Lahore. After the examination, he said, Gohar and Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Allama Abbas Nasir had been briefed on the procedure at PIMS Hospital.
The minister questioned if any other prisoner had received similar facilities. He also rebutted a question on whether Khan’s diet could be responsible, adding the medical report did not suggest any tampering. He emphasized that authorities are acting strictly in accordance with the jail manual.
On the PTI’s road blockades in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, he said the government would ensure the protests did not hamper the life of the common man.
Naqvi said all issues could be resolved through dialogue.