Information minister dismisses health rumors, says former prime minister ‘absolutely healthy’
PTI founder Imran Khan. PHOTO: FILE
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said on Thursday that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan, who is incarcerated in Adiala jail, was briefly brought to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) for medical treatment.
His statement came amid growing concern expressed by senior opposition leaders over Khan’s health. On Wednesday, top leaders from the PTI and allied parties held a joint press conference raising alarm over what they described as the continued denial of access to the jailed former prime minister, a day after reports emerged that he was suffering from an eye infection.
“The last meeting with Imran Khan took place on December 20, after which party officials and family members have not been allowed to meet him,” PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said at the press conference. He added that an application had been made to the court seeking permission to meet Khan, but the approval had not yet been granted.
Speaking to a private news channel on Thursday, Tarar said eye specialists had examined Khan at Adiala jail and recommended that he be shifted to Pims for further assessment and treatment.
Read: Imran’s ‘hospitalization’ worries PTI
Following doctors’ recommendations, Tarar said, Khan was rushed to the hospital on Saturday night.
According to the minister, doctors at Pims conducted another examination of Khan’s eyes and, after obtaining his written consent, performed a minor medical procedure lasting about 20 minutes.
After the procedure, Khan was shifted back to Adiala jail along with necessary medical instructions, Tarar said, adding that his vital signs remained stable throughout and his general health was satisfactory.
“He’s absolutely healthy,” Tarar said. He added that prisoners are given access to medical facilities and specialist care when necessary, in accordance with prison rules.
Dismissing rumors circulating on social media about Khan’s condition, Tarar said claims that the former prime minister’s health was serious were false.
“Alhamdulillah, he is absolutely fine,” he said, reiterating that the hospital visit was purely for a minor eye-related procedure performed on medical advice.
