PTI Demands Urgent Medical Care for Imran Khan Amid Controversy

In a growing health crisis for former Prime Minister Imran Khan, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has urgently called for his transfer to Shifa International Hospital for a critical heart examination. This demand comes after Khan was reportedly denied a necessary computed tomography angiography (CTA) during a recent hospital visit.

On Friday, Khan was taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for an eye procedure and additional tests. Despite medical recommendations for a CTA to assess potential heart issues, hospital staff claimed the facility was unavailable. Consequently, Khan was returned to Adiala Jail without the critical test, raising alarm among his supporters and medical professionals.

According to sources, a functioning 128-slice CT scanner has been operational at PIMS since March 2022, capable of conducting the necessary angiography. The PTI's Information Secretary, Sheikh Waqas Akram, expressed outrage over the situation, emphasizing that even the government’s own physicians recognized the need for the procedure due to Khan's fluctuating health conditions, including blood pressure irregularities and potential cardiac complications.

Akram pointed out that the Supreme Court had previously mandated Khan's transfer to Shifa International Hospital, which has the facilities to conduct the CTA. He criticized the authorities for not adhering to this directive and suggested that the failure to perform the test was part of a troubling pattern of negligence. "When necessary facilities were available at Shifa International, deliberately taking Imran Khan to a hospital where the required tests could not be performed raises grave questions about intent," he stated.

In response to the controversy, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif established an inquiry committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the failure to conduct the CTA. Akram, however, expressed skepticism regarding this inquiry, questioning why the test was not performed in the first place and highlighting the lack of coordination between medical departments.

The PTI has been vocal about its concerns for Khan's health since he first presented with an eye ailment earlier this year. Their calls for immediate medical attention intensified with the Supreme Court's directive on August 18, which demanded comprehensive medical treatment for Khan. Despite this, Khan's transfer to PIMS instead of Shifa International Hospital has raised serious questions about his care.

In light of these developments, Akram has urged that all of Khan's medical records be disclosed to his family and legal team, emphasizing that political considerations should not impede necessary medical care. He warned that the government would be held accountable for any deterioration in Khan's health, asserting that vital medical procedures must not be delayed due to administrative failures or political motivations.

The situation remains precarious as the PTI continues to advocate for Khan's immediate medical needs while navigating the complexities of his ongoing legal battles.

Source: www.dawn.com