ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said on Thursday that jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan was briefly shifted from Adiala Jail to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) for medical treatment following complaints of an eye infection.
The clarification came amid mounting concern from opposition leaders over Khan’s health and alleged restrictions on access to him. A day earlier, PTI leaders and allied parties held a joint press conference, claiming that family members and party officials had not been allowed to meet the former premier since December 20.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said a petition had been filed in court seeking permission for a meeting, but no approval had yet been granted.
Speaking to a private television channel, Tarar said eye specialists had examined Khan at Adiala Jail and recommended that he be taken to Pims for further evaluation and treatment. Acting on medical advice, Khan was shifted to the hospital on Saturday night.
The minister said doctors at Pims carried out another examination and, after obtaining Khan’s written consent, performed a minor medical procedure lasting about 20 minutes. He was later returned to Adiala Jail with medical instructions.
Tarar said Khan’s vital signs remained stable throughout and his overall condition was satisfactory. “He is absolutely healthy,” the minister said, adding that prisoners are provided specialist medical care whenever required under jail regulations.
He also dismissed social media reports suggesting the former prime minister’s health was serious, calling them baseless and misleading.