Tariq Fazal defends Imran's medical treatment amid renewed concerns

RAWALPINDI BUREAU —Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry on Tuesday defended the medical treatment being provided to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, insisting that the government had neither "neglected" his healthcare needs in the past nor would it allow any negligence in the future. The remarks come amid renewed concerns about Imran’s health following a meeting with his lawyer at Adiala jail on November 2, during which Imran disclosed that his blood pressure had surged to 192, putting him at risk of a brain haemorrhage.

Speaking to reporters at the Parliament House, Chaudhry said that Barrister Salman Safdar had himself acknowledged that medical check-up facilities were "available" to Imran during a media talk outside Islamabad High Court earlier in the day. Read: Gohar demands immediate implementation of SC order on Imran's medical treatment "The government was neither previously negligent about his medical treatment nor will any negligence be tolerated in the future in this regard." Chaudhry maintained that the government would continue to ensure adequate medical care for Imran, adding that the PTI founder had been taken to hospital six times for medical examinations even before the Supreme Court had issued its order.

The Supreme Court on August 18 had ordered that the PTI founder be shifted to Islamabad's Shifa International Hospital within two days for medical examination and treatment. Read More: SC orders Imran Khan’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital for treatment He noted: "Whenever the need arose in connection with his blood pressure, a doctor was called from London, and his treatment was carried out according to the standards that I believe were necessary for his healthcare." Taking a swipe at Safdar, the minister said the lawyer appeared to have assumed the role of a "medical specialist" rather than focusing on his legal responsibilities.

"There is no deal or dheel (relaxation) on the table for Imran," he remarked, stating that the only route to his release was through legal proceedings. While speaking about the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), Chaudhry strongly criticised the performance of the PTI's provincial government, further accusing the party of failing to deliver development in the province.

He said that an emergency was imposed in K-P as a "measure of last resort" and resulted from the party's "political suicide", owing to its decision not to cooperate with the federal government and security institutions in the fight against terrorism. Chaudhry added that the government would maintain the emergency in K-P until the required objectives were accomplished.

He further accused the PTI of fomenting "political unrest and confrontation", further stating that K-P was now moving towards peace, development and prosperity. The government has also previously rejected claims that Imran was being denied proper medical care. Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah told the Senate on August 25 that Imran was receiving the best available treatment from specialists and that his medical care and jail meetings were being conducted in accordance with the law and relevant court orders.

Also Read: Govt to implement direction on Imran’s medical order after SC clarification, Sanaullah tells Senate In February, it was revealed by a report prepared by Barrister Salman Safdar on the SC’s direction that Imran had informed officials that his right eye was functioning at only 15% capacity.

Safdar submitted the report to a two-member bench. As a result, the SC ordered that Imran be granted access to his personal physicians in Adiala Jail. Imran and Bushra Bibi remain incarcerated in Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail. They were sentenced on December 20, 2025, to 17 years in prison in the Toshakhana-II case, which pertains to allegations that the couple unlawfully retained a Bulgari jewellery set gifted by the Saudi crown prince during an official visit to Saudi Arabia.