Home Minister also blames India for terrorism in KP and Balochistan after terror attack in Bajaur
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Tuesday criticized what he described as the politicization of jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan’s health, accusing certain individuals of “playing politics” over the issue.
He dismissed misinformation circulating on social media and urged the public to trust confirmed reports instead of what he called “propaganda” that has caused unnecessary anxiety. He said the government and medical teams had acted with full responsibility and transparency in providing treatment to the former prime minister.
Briefing the media about Imran’s medical treatment and living conditions amid concerns over his eye health, Naqvi said the former prime minister had been taken to hospital for an eye injection under strict medical precautions.
“This was a normal procedure that had to be done. The doctors were already checking and everything was there. The injection was done as a precaution in the hospital to make sure there were no bacteria or complications,” he said, adding that all prisoners have the right to medical care.
Read: The Medical Board says that Imran’s vision is improving
Naqvi said opposition leaders from the National Assembly and Senate along with other representatives visited the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences and met the attending doctors for one and a half hours.
He added that the doctors also consulted Imran Khan’s personal doctors over the phone for 45 minutes, answering detailed questions and calling the treatment “excellent” and “the best possible care.”
The minister stated that the medical check had been delayed for three days due to opposition and family vetoes, specifically the naming of Imran’s sister, Aleema Khan.
“Aleema Khan has told her party people that if we agree on everything, then this issue will die. Because of them, the medical examination could not be completed for three days. On one hand they claim sympathy and relations and on the other hand a lot of politics has been played in this,” he said.
Naqvi further alleged that some persons were seeking political gain by exaggerating the situation. “Political leaders were almost all on board, but Aleema Khan used to veto. She used to say no to everything. When all the facts came before them, they were there, but the problem is that they want to cash in on this thing,” he said.
The interior minister reiterated his criticism of the politicization of the case, maintaining that Imran’s medical treatment was handled in accordance with legal obligations and standard procedures.
The security situation in KP and Balochistan
Naqvi also highlighted the deteriorating security situation in the country citing the recent terror attacks in Bajaur and Shangla.
“The fire of terrorism is increasing in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Every day there is an incident. The KP government has to focus a lot on this and they are doing it. I will not say that the KP police are not fighting; they are fighting well. But until the political leadership is on board, no battle can be won. All these things are hurting it,” he said.
He also raised concerns about unrest in Balochistan and warned that those trying to derail governance or incite chaos, especially through digital platforms, were acting against public interest. “This is not a normal thing that happens in KP and in the rest of Balochistan. If someone is smart and can see the situation clearly, they should come up with a logical solution,” he said.
The home minister accused India of acting as a proxy behind the recent terror attacks, saying the strategy involved “pretending to be victims and at the same time carrying out these attacks.” He added that Pakistani authorities are now working on international platforms to expose and counter these tactics.
Naqvi urged political and party workers to prioritize sensible action and avoid unnecessary tension. “Sane people are present everywhere, but the problem is that they are not heard. The public and those people have to decide whether they want to go with the sensible people or the rest of the people,” he said.
Imran Khan’s health
The development comes amid growing concern over Imran’s deteriorating eyesight in custody, with the court noting that the PTI founder expressed dissatisfaction with the medical facilities available and specifically sought access to specialist ophthalmologists.
During the hearing, the Chief Justice of Pakistan noted that all prisoners, including Imran, must have equal medical facilities and that health concerns take precedence over other matters.
Following the case, the Supreme Court ordered the formation of a medical team to examine Imran’s eye and ordered that telephonic contact with his children be ended by 16 February.
Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan assured the court that the government would provide access to eye doctors and facilitate phone calls with Qasim and Salman.
Meanwhile, reports by lawyer Salman Safdar, acting as amicus curiae, stated that Imran had suffered a sudden and complete loss of vision in his right eye and had been left with only 15% vision despite prior treatment.
The TTAP sit-in at Parliament House entered its fifth day on Tuesday, with party leaders and family members of jailed PTI founder Imran Khan demanding entry amid growing concerns over his health.
TTAP spokesman Akhunzada Hussain Ahmed Yousafzai said the protest, which began on Friday, was aimed at allowing at least one family member or party representative to meet Khan and end rumors about his condition.
Aleema reiterated that the family rejected the medical report submitted by prison-appointed doctors and insisted that he be examined at Shifa International Hospital under the supervision of his personal doctor, adding that they would hold a press conference after the meeting.
