ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has rejected speculation that party founder Imran Khan has reached or is seeking a deal with the government, saying Khan would not have spent three years in prison if he wanted to negotiate an agreement.
Speaking to reporters outside the Supreme Court on Monday alongside senior lawyer Latif Khosa, Gohar said Imran Khan “does not make deals” and remains firm on his position.
The PTI chairman said the party had sought a meeting with Chief Justice Yahya Afridi in connection with a contempt petition concerning Khan’s medical treatment. As the chief justice was unavailable, Gohar and Khosa met the Supreme Court registrar, who they said assured them that the petition would be numbered and placed before the chief justice for early fixation.
Gohar said the petition relates to the alleged non-implementation of the Supreme Court’s August 18 order concerning Khan’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital for medical examination and treatment. Khan was instead taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) on August 21, where doctors examined him before he was returned to Adiala Jail.
Gohar described Khan’s transfer to PIMS instead of Shifa as a violation of the Supreme Court’s directive. He said the party wanted all recommended medical tests to be conducted and called for Khan’s sister, Dr Uzma, and personal physician Dr Faisal Sultan to be included in the medical board.
He also stated that the well-being of the imprisoned former prime minister has become an international issue of concern and that the issue should not be politicized.
Chairman PTI said that the party has sought a hearing on the contempt case in the Supreme Court and hoped that the court will see to it that its earlier decision is implemented.
The controversy follows the Supreme Court’s August 18 directive regarding Khan’s medical treatment. The government has maintained that security concerns prompted authorities to take him to PIMS, where a team of specialists examined him and declared him medically fit.
