ISLAMABAD:
The government and opposition traded barbs in the National Assembly on Friday over the hospital transfer and health of former prime minister Imran Khan.
The opposition accused the government of undermining a Supreme Court order as the government insisted there was no serious cause for concern about Imran’s health.
The National Assembly session, presided over by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, triggered a heated exchange regarding Imran Khan’s transfer to the hospital.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered the PML-N led federal government to transfer the PTI founder to Islamabad Shifa International Hospital within two days, given the former PM’s deteriorating health condition. The government on Friday night, however, briefly brought Imran to the Pakistan Institute of Health Sciences (Pims) and later shifted him back to Adiala Jail.
Referring to the development, NA Leader of Opposition Mahmood Khan Achakzai said people across Pakistan had been celebrating the prospect of Imran Khan being shifted to Shifa International Hospital in accordance with the Supreme Court’s directions.
“However, during the night, the PTI founder was shifted to another hospital [in violation of the court order],” he said, adding that Imran Khan’s sister was also confined to a hospital room.
Achakzai said that if there were elements within the government trying to sabotage relations between the PTI and the government, they should be identified. He said there are “black sheep” within the government.
PTI Chairman Gohar Khan said that whether the government accepted it or not, the world recognised Imran Khan as the country’s most popular leader. He said some people were so afraid of Imran Khan that they could not even tolerate a glimpse of him.
Gohar said the government had initially cited an eye problem as the reason for Imran Khan’s proposed transfer, but despite approaching the high courts 25 times and the Supreme Court 17 times, he had not received justice.
He said the PTI had asked its workers and supporters not to go to Shifa International Hospital, respect the Supreme Court’s order and refrain from making any videos or taking any action that could obstruct Imran Khan’s treatment.
He questioned who had suddenly shifted Imran Khan to another hospital during the night. “Perhaps some forces do not want the PTI to remain part of the existing system. Perhaps after a few days, we may no longer be part of this assembly,” he said.
Responding to the opposition’s allegations, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said he would not offer an explanation regarding Imran Khan’s health. He said Imran had met his sister and that she could provide information about his condition.
According to Asif, Imran Khan’s eye condition had improved and there was no serious health problem. He said Imran Khan had been taken to the hospital, but there was nothing alarming about the situation. Doctors would make their findings public through their report, he added.
Asif claimed that Imran Khan had recovered, was eating like a healthy person and exercised for three hours a day. The defence minister also reminded the opposition of political behaviour in the past, saying politicians had mocked platelet counts and illnesses and had also made fun of Nawaz Sharif’s illness back in 2020.
