ISLAMABAD: Imran Khan’s sister Uzma Khan on Friday criticised the government for taking the former prime minister to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) instead of Shifa International Hospital, arguing that authorities had failed to comply with the Supreme Court’s order.
However, without naming Federal Information Minister Atta Tarar, she appeared to corroborate his statement that doctors at PIMS examined Imran Khan and found him medically fit. Her remarks account also contradicted repeated claims by some PTI-supporting YouTubers and social media commentators who had reported that Khan’s health was deteriorating and used those claims to criticise the government’s handling of his medical treatment.
The Supreme Court had ordered on Tuesday that Imran Khan be transferred to Shifa International Hospital for medical examination and treatment. However, Tarar said on Friday that authorities took him to PIMS instead because of security concerns. He added that doctors examined Khan at PIMS and found him medically fit.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad alongside Khan’s personal physician, Dr Faisal Sultan, Uzma said authorities called her to Adiala Jail on Friday night. After making her wait for some time, officials took her to PIMS, she said.
According to Uzma, police officers did not explain why authorities had changed the location. Once she reached PIMS, however, officials told her that they had brought Khan there for a follow-up examination of his eye.
At PIMS, doctors examined Khan’s eye and conducted several other medical tests, Uzma said. Doctors also recommended a test of a blood vessel in his eye and advised an injection, she added.
Meanwhile, doctors told her that the condition of Khan’s eye and the bleeding had improved. They also checked his blood pressure, which stood at around 120/80, according to Uzma.
Uzma further said she met her brother for the first time in about 10 months. She said Khan appeared surprised to see her and seemed briefly shocked by the unexpected meeting.
Khan developed a condition known as central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) in his right eye in January this year. Since then, authorities have taken him to PIMS several times for eye-related treatment.
The PTI maintains that the Supreme Court’s order was clear and required authorities to transfer Khan to Shifa International Hospital.
The government, however, says security concerns forced authorities to change the location. It maintains that PIMS provided all the medical facilities required for Khan’s examination and treatment.
Also Read: Imran Khan’s Medical Examination Conducted at PIMS Amid Security Concerns: Tarar
The dispute over the hospital transfer has added another point of contention between the government and PTI, with both sides offering different interpretations of the Supreme Court’s directive and the circumstances surrounding Khan’s medical examination.
