Peshawar: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Shafi Jan on Friday demanded that former prime minister Imran Khan be granted access to his personal doctors, legal team, and family members, expressing concern over the PTI founder’s health and conditions of detention.
Press Conference Highlights
Addressing a press conference alongside Provincial Health Minister Khaleequr Rehman and representatives of the Insaf Doctors’ Forum (IDF), Shafi Jan alleged that Imran Khan had remained incarcerated in multiple cases for more than 1,000 days and had spent the past seven months in solitary confinement.
He described Khan as the country’s most popular political leader and claimed that restrictions placed on his access to family members and personal physicians were unjustified.
Medical Treatment Concerns
The minister further alleged that Imran Khan had recently been taken to a hospital for treatment related to an eye condition without prior consultation with, or notification of, his family members and personal doctors. According to Shafi Jan, the move was inconsistent with procedures outlined in the jail rules.
He said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf had exhausted all constitutional and legal avenues regarding concerns over Khan’s health and access to meetings, and accused federal ministers of issuing contradictory statements about the former premier’s medical treatment and hospital visits.
Bushra Bibi's Medical Procedure
Referring to PTI leader Bushra Bibi, Shafi Jan also claimed that a medical procedure involving her eye treatment had been carried out without informing her family members or personal physicians.
The minister maintained that under the relevant prison regulations, Imran Khan was entitled to Class-B facilities but alleged that these had not been provided.
Demand for Fundamental Rights
Calling for what he described as the protection of Khan’s fundamental rights, Shafi Jan urged the authorities to ensure access to appropriate medical care under the supervision of doctors of his choice, as well as regular meetings with family members and legal counsel.
He said PTI supported the demands raised by Khan’s family regarding his healthcare and detention conditions, adding that the party believed in pursuing its objectives through constitutional and democratic means rather than “the politics of revenge”.
Criticism of Federal Government
Responding to questions from journalists, Shafi Jan also criticised the federal government’s handling of economic affairs, inflation, energy shortages and wheat supply issues affecting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He accused the federal administration of adopting discriminatory policies towards the province whenever the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz held power at the Centre, and said Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur had consistently raised concerns regarding the province’s financial and administrative rights.
The minister reaffirmed that the provincial government would continue advocating for what it described as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s fair share of resources while pursuing measures aimed at addressing public concerns and protecting provincial interests.
