ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar has said that health-related matters should not be politicised, accusing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of turning the medical issue concerning its founder into a political controversy.
Tarar said the government had maintained the same position it held while in opposition: health issues should be kept separate from politics.
He alleged that despite this position, what he described as false propaganda was being spread and the matter was being politicised.
Tarar said authorities complied with the Supreme Court’s directions regarding the medical examination of the PTI founder. He maintained that the examination was conducted in accordance with the court’s instructions and that the relevant requirements of the order were fulfilled.
The PTI founder’s sister and doctors from Shifa Hospital were present during the medical examination.
He said the administration ensured implementation of the court’s order and arranged the required medical assessment.
Tarar Accuses PTI of Politicising the Issue
The information minister alleged that PTI had adopted a political approach toward the issue despite the court’s directions. He questioned why groups of people were allegedly gathered outside Shifa Hospital if the party genuinely wanted the PTI founder to receive medical treatment.
Tarar argued that the court had made it clear that politics should not be brought into the matter. He also rejected what he described as an unfounded contempt-of-court petition and said the government had presented the facts before the nation.
Tarar further alleged that the PTI founder’s family and party had themselves contributed to the controversy.
He questioned why obstacles were allegedly created if the party wanted its founder to receive medical treatment.
He said political statements and activities had taken place during the process and claimed that security arrangements were also affected.
In this regard, the circumstances surrounding the issue raised questions about who was actually responsible for violating the court’s directions.
Warning Against Involving Bar Councils
The minister also urged PTI not to use bar councils for political purposes. He said some lawyers had issued statements concerning the matter and called for bar councils to remain separate from the political dispute.
Tarar reasserted that the medical examination was conducted at PIMS Hospital in accordance with the court’s instructions and claimed that every requirement of the judicial order had been fulfilled.
He maintained that the government’s position remained that health-related matters should be handled without political confrontation.
