The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Tuesday categorically rejected a press release issued by the administration of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) following the most recent medical examination of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The PIMS press release states that a medical board comprising Dr. Nadeem Qureshi, the head of the vitreoretinal department at Al–Shifa Trust Eye Hospital in Rawalpindi, and Dr. M. Arif Khan, the head of the ophthalmology department at PIMS, examined the incarcerated Khan at Adiala Jail. The same team had examined Khan last month.
“This examination was performed as a follow-up of his second dose of intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF,” read the statement, adding both of Khan’s eyes were examined for visual acuity. The doctors also conducted fundoscopy, slit lamp examination, and optical coherence tomography, it added.
“The board concluded that his vision has improved remarkably, which is substantially good vision at this stage. The board recommended instructions for further care and treatment advice as previously planned,” it said.
However, rejecting the press release, the PTI maintained that any medical examination conducted without the presence of Khan’s personal physicians and immediate family lacked transparency and credibility.
“For months, serious concerns have been raised regarding his health, access to independent medical care and the denial of family supervised evaluations,” it said, reiterating that the party founder be examined in the presence of his personal physicians and family members.
“As per the wishes of his family, he must be shifted without delay to Shifa International Hospital for independent, transparent and comprehensive medical evaluation and treatment,” it said. “Nothing short of this will be acceptable,” it added.
The party’s central media department said the ongoing refusal to allow “independent medical access” fostered public concern and raised serious questions about Khan’s health. “The health and well-being of Imran Khan cannot and will not be compromised,” it added.