KP Chief Minister Sounds Alarm Over Imran Khan's Health Condition
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Khan Afridi voiced profound apprehension on Thursday regarding the deteriorating health of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan. Speaking to journalists outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, the chief minister highlighted the alarming circumstances surrounding Khan's alleged secretive transfer to a hospital.
Secrecy and Lack of Transparency Criticized
Mr Afridi emphasized that neither Imran Khan's family members nor his personal physician were consulted or informed about the medical relocation. He described this omission as deeply troubling, stating, "This is something neither I nor the nation can remain silent about." The chief minister questioned the motives behind what he termed a concealment of facts since Saturday, warning that such actions could provoke a strong public backlash.
Accompanied by members of the provincial cabinet and senior PTI leaders, Mr Afridi detailed that Imran Khan had been moved to the hospital without his family's knowledge. He argued that if the former prime minister's condition warranted immediate medical intervention, his relatives should have been promptly notified. Terming the situation "unacceptable under any circumstances," he demanded immediate access for Khan's family and doctors to assess and supervise his treatment.
Concerns Over Medical Negligence and Safety
The chief minister expressed particular concern over the exclusion of Imran Khan's personal physician, labeling it as tantamount to "medical negligence." Recalling Khan's previous assassination attempt, Mr Afridi stressed that removing him from jail suddenly and without informing his family or medical team constituted an "extremely serious matter." He asserted that his worries were genuine and rooted solely in health and safety considerations, dismissing the government's narrative as lacking credibility and misleading.
Mr Afridi warned that authorities would bear full responsibility if access was not granted and treatment was not conducted under family and doctor supervision. He announced his intention to remain outside Adiala Jail overnight, noting the arrival of several parliamentarians and ongoing gatherings of party leaders. "This is a matter of our leader's life, and we will not allow it to be normalised," he declared.
PTI Officials Echo Demands for Transparency
In a related development, Shafi Jan, Special Assistant to the KP Chief Minister for Information and Public Relations, issued a statement on Thursday echoing these concerns. He alleged that the federal government had secretly transferred Imran Khan to PIMS Hospital, violating fundamental rights and court directives by not informing his family or legal representatives.
Mr Jan described the move as a "blatant disregard" for legal and constitutional safeguards, adding that Chief Minister Afridi had been prevented from meeting Khan at Adiala Jail, along with PTI members of provincial and national assemblies and senators. He criticized restrictions on access as a clear violation of democratic norms and court orders, warning that PTI would consider firm action if access to Khan's personal physician was not immediately granted.
Further, Mr Jan criticized the Punjab government, alleging deterioration in the province's health sector and suggesting that measures against Imran Khan reflected concerns over his political influence. He emphasized Khan's focus on public welfare, democratic strengthening, and economic sovereignty, contrasting it with what he called the federal government's prioritization of political interests.
Calls for Public Vigilance and Media Engagement
Responding to media queries, Chief Minister Afridi reiterated that his foremost priority was Imran Khan's health. He urged the media to fulfill its professional responsibility by raising awareness about the issue, questioning the silence over what he described as a serious and real situation. The chief minister called on the public to remain vigilant and repeated his demand for immediate access for Khan's sisters and personal physicians.
While expressing a desire for an amicable resolution, Mr Afridi cautioned that any obstruction would place full responsibility for consequences on the authorities. The unfolding situation continues to draw significant attention, highlighting tensions over transparency and medical care in high-profile political cases.
