‘If the need arises’: Govt hints PTI founder Imran Khan may be sent abroad for medical treatment

ISLAMABAD: The government on Thursday hinted that PTI founder Imran Khan could be sent abroad for medical treatment if required, and that it had moved the Supreme Court only to seek clarification on whether the relief granted in the recent order was limited to one individual or applicable to other prisoners as well.

The statement was made by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry during a heated Senate session after Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas raised the issue of inadequate health facilities for former premier and detained PTI leaders, including Dr Yasmin Rashid and Ejaz Chaudhry, and sought relief for all political prisoners.

Chaudhry, who had earlier assured the House that the SC’s judgment would be implemented in letter and spirit, said that under the law, convicted prisoners with health issues were moved to a government hospital.

“It is nice to know that the government has acquired a hospital in the United Kingdom,” PTI Senator Mohsin Aziz quipped, alluding to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s treatment in the UK after his conviction.

To this, Chaudhry replied that the government would ensure medical treatment for Imran in a government hospital or, if needed, another hospital.

“If the need arises to send him abroad, we will do that as well,” he said. “We have only approached the Supreme Court for guidance to know whether this facility is for one person or other prisoners too.”

He reiterated that the government would implement the court’s decision “in letter and spirit.”

Raising a point of order, Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas said the system had “collapsed” and that it was the government’s responsibility to provide health facilities to prisoners.

He said 76-year-old Dr Rashid was imprisoned in Kot Lakhpat jail in terrorism cases despite being a cancer and asthma patient. “Dr Yasmin Rashid cannot even walk 15 to 20 steps. She suffers from spinal problems and is not being provided with adequate health facilities,” he said.

The opposition leader recalled that when PML-N supremo Nawaz’s health was an issue, facilities were provided while the minister was serving as health minister. He urged the government to shift Dr Rashid to a hospital or place her under house arrest.

“Politicians and parliamentarians have been branded terrorists,” he said, adding that “politics should not be made a crime.”

He further said that improvement had begun following the SC’s verdict related to the PTI founder and called for its implementation so that “people are happy and hearts come closer.”

Abbas urged the government to view Dr Rashid’s treatment from a humanitarian perspective. “We will not topple your government. Have no fear. God will do what is best,” he said.

Responding, the minister said Dr Rashid and Senator Chaudhry were “respectable” to the government. However, he noted that Dr Rashid was present at the site when attacks took place on May 9.

“May 9 was the darkest day in Pakistan’s history. General Headquarters and the Corps Commander House were attacked,” he said, adding that sentences in the case had been handed down by the courts, not the prime minister. “Relief has to be given by the courts.”

The minister said the government would speak to the Punjab government regarding Dr Rashid’s health and brief the Leader of the Opposition on the matter.

Moreover, Chaudhry’s remarks about Dr Rashid triggered a protest by opposition senators. The opposition leader later said it was an “allegation and slander” to claim that Dr Rashid was involved in the Corps Commander House attack.

Meanwhile, in a separate statement issued on X, the minister said that the purpose of approaching the SC over the August 18 ruling was “not to disrespect the decision or obstruct its implementation, but solely to obtain this legal clarification: whether the court’s decision is limited to the case of a specific prisoner or also applies to other prisoners”.

“Under prevailing laws, all convicted individuals in prisons are provided with medical facilities, and when necessary, they are also given medical treatment in government hospitals.”

“If the SC’s decision applies to the current procedure, the government will fully comply with it as well,” he added.

In his statement on X, Chaudhry affirmed that if appropriate and required treatment is not available to the PTI founder in a government hospital, the government could “consider all legal options for better treatment, which may include the option of treatment at Shifa Hospital or, if necessary, treatment abroad”.

He maintained that individuals sentenced by the courts could only receive relief through legal and judicial processes.

“The sentences of individuals convicted by the courts cannot be terminated or modified through any administrative order of a prime minister.”

He also rejected what he called the opposition’s accusation of a personal vendetta by the government as “incorrect”.

“The government is fulfilling its role not out of any political revenge but in accordance with the law and judicial decisions.”