PTI lawmakers call for Imran’s transfer to hospital amid health concerns

Peshawar: The ruling PTI lawmakers in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly expressed serious concerns about the "poor" health of their incarcerated former prime minister, Imran Khan, and demanded his immediate transfer to a hospital for treatment. During a session chaired by Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, treasury members argued that no one, including a former prime minister, could be deprived of basic human rights.

They urged the federal and Punjab governments to allow Khan access to his personal doctors, warning that other political leaders might be denied healthcare in the future. Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Food Mohammad Israr Khan sought to suspend the house's routine agenda to discuss the PTI leader's health concerns. The chair later obtained the house's consent to suspend the agenda, citing widespread concern among political parties and the public about Khan's well-being.

Israr Khan emphasized that the current rulers could maintain power through fear and intimidation, not love. He warned that if the situation worsened, the rulers would lose control over the people. The PTI lawmaker stressed that Khan, a globally recognized former prime minister, had never requested to go abroad or be transferred to a hospital.

Treasury MPA Ihtisham Ali claimed that the entire nation and world were aware of Khan's contributions to the country. He pointed out that when lawmakers traveled abroad, they were questioned about Khan's imprisonment but had no answers. Ali called for an immediate hearing into Khan's cases, urging parliamentarians to ask those responsible for his imprisonment.

The opposition's Pakistan Peoples Party member, Ahmad Kairm Kundi, questioned the timing of the National Finance Commission report, which determines the distribution of national resources. He argued that the report should have been tabled in the house, as it is crucial for holding governments accountable. The opposition member also urged the KP government to address the delayed reporting.

Labour Minister Faisal Tarakai stated that the KP government had submitted NFC Award reports to the house, while the federal government's 2024-25 and 2025-26 reports were being finalized. Treasury MPA Nazir Abbasi alleged that the federal government was hesitant to pay substantial amounts owed to the province and suggested dedicating an entire day to discuss the matter.

ANP member Arbab Usman expressed concern over five million children in the province being out of school and called for the scrutiny of top students' answer sheets. PML-N lawmaker Sardar Shahjahan Yousaf criticized the PTI government's lack of progress in the education system. The session was adjourned due to a lack of quorum, with the treasury unable to ensure the presence of enough members.