At Adiala jail
PTI rejects medical assessment, says it is not acceptable without presence of Khan’s family and personal physicians
RAWALPINDI
A five-member team of specialist doctors on Sunday carried out a detailed medical examination of former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, as no PTI leaders showed up despite a government offer for them to witness the check-up.
Adiala Jail Superintendent Sajid Baig said in a statement that a team comprising specialists from different hospitals visited the jail to conduct an eye examination of the former prime minister. He said the doctors arrived with medical equipment, medicines and other necessary supplies.
Baig said the team performed a detailed eye check-up under the supervision of a two-member medical board and that strict security arrangements were put in place during the visit. He added that the medical team’s report was expected to be compiled soon.
On the other hand, PTI has rejected the government and jail authorities’ handling of a recent eye examination of Khan, saying no medical assessment is acceptable without the presence of his family and personal physicians.
In a statement issued by PTI’s central information department, the party said it “strongly rejects” the latest conduct by the government and prison administration regarding Khan’s eye check-up.
“This matter was never about the presence or absence of party leadership,” the statement said. It added that in “sensitive and delicate medical matters”, the “constitutional, moral and legal” right to decide rests with Khan’s family.
PTI said Khan’s family cannot make an informed decision unless Khan’s personal doctors are present during the examination. It said inviting party leaders “symbolically” carries neither “moral logic” nor “legal justification”.
The party said its demand, along with Khan’s family, has remained unchanged since the beginning: that Khan should be given immediate access to his personal physicians and be allowed to meet his family without delay.
“Despite that, Khan’s medical examination was conducted without taking his family and personal doctors into confidence, and in their absence. This is not only non-transparent but also raises serious questions about the government’s intentions,” the statement said.
PTI said it would not accept any such examination, nor consider any report based on it to be credible. The party also argued that Khan’s eye issue is “highly complex and serious” and cannot be properly examined inside a prison.
“Khan’s health cannot be addressed through political manoeuvring, statements and symbolic measures. Delays, ambiguity and forcibly imposed decisions are unacceptable in a case involving a former prime minister whose eyesight faces severe risks,” it added.
The party demanded that treatment begin immediately in the presence of Khan’s family and personal doctors, warning that any other process would not be viewed as transparent, reliable or acceptable.
