Tariq Fazal Chaudhry defends Imran Khan’s medical treatment

ISLAMABAD: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry on Tuesday rejected allegations of negligence in the medical care of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, saying the government had ensured his healthcare needs were addressed and would not tolerate any lapse in the future.

His statement comes amid renewed concerns over Imran’s health after he reportedly told his lawyer during a meeting at Adiala Jail on November 2 that his blood pressure had risen to 192, raising fears of a possible brain haemorrhage.

Speaking to reporters at Parliament House, Chaudhry said medical facilities and check-up arrangements were available to the former prime minister. He referred to remarks by Barrister Salman Safdar, who had earlier spoken to the media outside the Islamabad High Court.

The minister insisted that the government had never ignored Imran’s medical needs and would continue providing him with appropriate treatment.

He said the PTI founder had been taken to hospital six times for medical examinations even before the Supreme Court issued directions regarding his healthcare.

Chaudhry also said that whenever concerns arose over Imran’s blood pressure, doctors were called in, including a specialist from London, to ensure he received the required medical attention.

The Supreme Court had directed on August 18 that Imran be shifted to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad within two days for medical examination and treatment.

Taking a swipe at Safdar, the minister suggested that the lawyer was commenting on medical matters beyond his professional role.

Rejecting speculation about any possible political arrangement for Imran’s release, Chaudhry said there was no deal or relaxation under consideration. He maintained that the PTI founder could secure his release only through legal proceedings.

Turning to the political situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the minister criticised the PTI-led provincial government and accused it of failing to deliver on development and governance.

He described the imposition of an emergency in the province as a last resort, blaming the PTI for what he called a failure to cooperate with the federal government and security institutions in tackling terrorism.

Chaudhry said the emergency would remain in place until its intended objectives were achieved. He also accused the PTI of promoting political confrontation and unrest, claiming that the province was now moving towards peace and development.

The federal government has previously dismissed allegations that Imran was being denied proper medical facilities. Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah told the Senate on August 25 that the former premier was receiving treatment from qualified specialists and that arrangements for his medical care and jail meetings were being made in accordance with court orders and the law.

Concerns over Imran’s health had also emerged in February, when a medical report prepared by Barrister Salman Safdar under the Supreme Court’s directions disclosed that the PTI founder had reported only 15 per cent vision in his right eye.

Following the report, the Supreme Court directed authorities to provide Imran access to his personal physicians at Adiala Jail.

Imran and his wife, Bushra Bibi, remain incarcerated at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. The couple were sentenced to 17 years in prison on December 20, 2025, in the Toshakhana-II case involving allegations that they unlawfully retained a Bulgari jewellery set gifted by the Saudi crown prince during an official visit to Saudi Arabia.