Govt says security concerns led to Imran’s Pims transfer

The federal government has defended its decision to take Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has defended its decision to take Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) instead of Shifa International Hospital for a medical examination.

Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said security considerations were the main reason behind the decision.

Speaking during a television programme, the minister said the decision was taken by the relevant administration and was not linked to the Punjab government.

Chaudhry said the authorities considered both Imran Khan’s medical needs and security situation before deciding where his examination should take place.

He acknowledged that the decision to take Imran to Pims, rather than the private hospital mentioned in the Supreme Court’s order, was likely to attract criticism.

However, he maintained that Imran’s security remained the government’s top priority.

The minister said Pims had the facilities required to conduct all the medical tests recommended for the PTI founder. He also said doctors from Shifa International Hospital were present during the examination at Pims.

The development followed the Supreme Court’s August 18 order directing authorities to take Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital for a medical examination.

Instead, Imran was taken to Pims, where his medical assessment was carried out with the involvement of doctors associated with Shifa, according to government officials.

After the examination, Imran was taken back to Adiala Jail three days before the minister’s latest remarks.

The decision has also triggered a legal response from the PTI. The party filed a contempt petition before the Supreme Court, alleging that the authorities failed to comply with the court’s directions regarding Imran’s transfer to the private hospital.

PTI lawyer Salman Akram Raja also raised concerns about Imran Khan’s medical treatment and access to his family.

Speaking on a separate television programme, Raja said Dr Faisal Sultan had not made any statement that contradicted the Supreme Court’s directions.

He said the medical report was a matter between the doctor and Imran Khan’s family.

The PTI lawyer argued that Imran should be entitled to the same medical facilities available to other prisoners in similar circumstances.

Raja also claimed that Imran’s communication with his family had remained restricted since December 2. He questioned whether any other prisoner had been kept from meeting family members for such a long period.

The PTI has repeatedly raised concerns about Imran Khan’s health, medical treatment and access to his family and legal team.

Meanwhile, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah criticised the PTI’s political approach.

He claimed that negotiations with other political parties were not part of the PTI’s political strategy.

Sanaullah said the party remained closely associated with its founder and alleged that most other opposition parties were prepared to engage with the government.

He questioned why the PTI was reluctant to enter into negotiations when other political groups were willing to participate in talks.

The government adviser also accused the PTI of disregarding court directions on certain matters.