Lahore:
Senior Pakistan Tehreek-E-Insaf (PTI) leader Dr. Yasmin Rashid’s lawyer has claimed that she was returning to Kot Lakhpat Prison on Saturday after a premature discharge from Services Hospital despite the fact that the continuous serious medical problems.
Dr. Rashid, 74, a gynecologist and cancer survivor, has been in custody since May 12, 2023, against several charges tied to riots caused by the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan. Her health has repeatedly wavered with admissions in May and July last year, and again last week when she suffered severe abdominal pain and difficulty breathing.
Her lawyer Rana Mudassar said she was fighting for stomach infection and needed oxygen support for respiratory distress. Although she underwent medical tests during her recent stay in the hospital, Mudassar said the authorities had discharged her without conducting the necessary treatment and allegation of a violation of her right to healthcare. Her family and legal team were not informed of her transfer back to prison, the lawyer claimed.
Punjab Assembly Deputy Persposition Manager Moeen Riaz Qureshi criticized the government’s handling of the case. He emphasized vulnerability to the former provincial minister as an older cancer survivor and accused the authorities of neglecting her medical needs for political reasons.
