Govt calls Imran’s Pims transfer a security move

The government has defended its decision to transfer PTI founder Imran Khan from Adiala jail to the state-run Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences

The government has defended its decision to transfer PTI founder Imran Khan from Adiala jail to the state-run Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) instead of Shifa International Hospital, saying the last-minute change was based on security concerns rather than political considerations.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said on Friday that security and law enforcement agencies had assessed the situation and decided they could not provide the required security at Shifa International Hospital.

The development came after the Supreme Court directed the government to shift Imran to Shifa International Hospital for medical treatment. Security arrangements had been put in place at the private hospital, with a heavy police presence deployed around the facility.

Chaudhry said authorities had initially completed the necessary arrangements at Shifa. However, while Imran was being transported from Adiala jail, security officials reviewed the situation and concluded that maintaining law and order around the hospital could become difficult.

He rejected suggestions that the government had deliberately ignored the court’s order. According to him, security agencies were responsible for determining whether a particular location could be adequately protected.

The minister also said alternative arrangements had been prepared because Imran is a high-profile prisoner. He maintained that police, administrative officials and medical personnel had been positioned at Shifa before the decision to change the destination.

Questions were also raised over the presence of Imran’s personal physician, Dr Faisal Sultan, who reportedly waited at Shifa for several hours. Imran’s sister, Dr Uzma Khan, was later present at Pims during his medical examination. Chaudhry said he was unaware that Dr Sultan had remained at Shifa and learned about it later.

The government has maintained that the Supreme Court’s directions were followed except for the change of hospital at the final stage.

PTI, however, strongly disputes the government’s position. Party information secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram accused the authorities of committing contempt of court by refusing to transfer Imran to Shifa.

Akram also questioned the composition of the medical board formed by the government. He said Dr Faisal Sultan was not included and claimed that Dr Uzma Khan was not familiar with the doctors who examined Imran.

He urged the government to correct the situation by transferring Imran to Shifa before the PTI approached the Supreme Court with a contempt petition.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Imran was examined at Pims by a team that included an ophthalmologist, cardiologist and physician. He said the doctors declared him medically fit before he was returned to Adiala jail.

Tarar attributed the change of hospital to the security situation allegedly created by PTI supporters around Shifa. The government said the decision was taken to ensure Imran’s safety as well as maintain public order.

Later, Dr Uzma Khan and Dr Faisal Sultan addressed a press conference in Islamabad and provided their account of events. Uzma said they had been asked to reach Adiala jail on Thursday evening after receiving a phone call.