Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Saturday accused Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of spreading “false propaganda” over the medical examination of the party’s founder and former prime minister Imran Khan saying the government had fully complied with the orders of the court.
Khan was taken to PIMS hospital for checkup on Friday instead of Shifa International Hospital and was declared medically fit. Dr Uzma Khan who accompanied Khan told the media yesterday that she was not aware that they would be taken to PIMS instead of Shifa.
Tarar said the court’s directions regarding treatment and medical examination had been implemented rather Khan’s sister and doctors from Shifa Hospital were also present at the hospital at the time.
The information minister said PTI was attempting to politicise a health-related matter, despite the court having clearly directed that no political statements should be made on the issue.
“Contempt of court was committed by PTI members,” he said, questioning who had gathered a large number of people outside Shifa Hospital. “There are numerous videos available on Tiktok of people outside Shifa despite clear instructions. Can this not be called a violation of court orders?” he asked.
The minister said the government’s position on health-related matters had remained consistent. “When we were in the opposition, our stance was the same: health should not be politicised,” he said.
“I was actually surprised that the party supporters would actually show up to jeopardised health of the party’s founder because I have not witnessed such an instance before,” he added.
Referring to Khan’s own past remarks about the health of political opponents, Tarar said his statements were known to everyone. He alleged that during his time in government, Khan would make mocking and derogatory remarks about others.
“We have never adopted an insulting attitude towards anyone’s health,” the minister said.
Tarar further said the government, in its review appeal, had raised the question of equal facilities for all prisoners. He maintained that the PTI founder’s medical examination was carried out in line with the court’s order and that the administration had followed the court’s instructions.
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