ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has accused Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of politicising former prime minister Imran Khan’s medical treatment and termed it ‘a clear violation’ of court directions on the matter.
Speaking to media representatives here on Saturday, Tarar said the administration had fully followed the court’s orders regarding Imran Khan’s medical examination and treatment. He said the examination was conducted as directed by the court, saying ‘Imran Khan’s sister also present at the hospital’.
He said the government provided time to time updates on the former prime minister’s health and handled the matter transparently in line with the court’s instructions. He rejected allegations of political interference in Imran Khan’s medical care, saying the government had never stopped his treatment. “His treatment has continued and the issue should not be turned into politics,” he said.
The minister said the government had maintained the same position it held while in opposition that health issues should not be politicised. He added that there had been no change in the government’s stance on keeping politics out of medical matters.
Tarar accused PTI of spreading what he called false propaganda and questioned the gathering of groups of people outside Shifa Hospital. He also asked who held a press conference despite the court’s instructions that the matter should not be politicised.
He claimed that Imran Khan, his sister and PTI had violated the court’s directions by turning the issue into a political campaign. According to Tarar, PTI’s actions also contradicted its own assurance to respect the court’s orders.
The minister further said the government had raised the question of equal facilities for all prisoners in its review petition.
Referring to Imran Khan’s past political statements about the health of others, Tarar said the former premier had often made mocking and insulting remarks about opponents during his time in government. He maintained that the present government had never adopted an insulting attitude towards anyone’s health.
Tarar also said the Punjab Bar Council and Pakistan Bar Council had distanced themselves from PTI’s political campaign. He said the bar councils had warned that their names should not be used for political purposes and clarified that individual statements by any member did not represent the councils’ official position. “Imran Khan’s treatment was never stopped,” Tarar said, adding that the matter should be dealt with as a health issue rather than being used for political purposes.
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