Govt says Imran Khan can be sent abroad for treatment ‘if need arises’, but procedure must be followed first
ISLAMABAD: The government on Thursday hinted that PTI founder Imran Khan could be sent abroad for medical treatment if required, and that it had moved the Supreme Court only to seek clarification on whether the relief granted in the recent order was limited to one individual or applicable to other prisoners as well. The statement was made by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry…
The Pakistani government has indicated that former Prime Minister Imran Khan may be treated abroad for medical reasons if necessary, but the process must be followed diligently. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry addressed this matter during a contentious Senate session following a query from Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas about the inadequate healthcare for former Prime Minister and detained PTI leaders, including Dr Yasmin Rashid and Ejaz Chaudhry.
Chaudhry, who assured the House that the Supreme Court's judgment would be adhered to, explained that convicts with health complications are transferred to government hospitals. PTI Senator Mohsin Aziz humorously noted that Khan had received treatment in the UK after his conviction, to which Chaudhry replied that the government would provide medical care either within a government hospital or abroad if required.
The minister clarified that the Supreme Court was approached to clarify whether the recent order, which granted relief to one individual, applied to other prisoners as well. Chaudhry reiterated that the government would implement the court's decision "in letter and spirit." Amidst the heated debate, opposition senators protested Chaudhry's remarks about Dr Rashid's involvement in an attack, which they deemed as "allegation and slander."
Chaudhry dismissed the opposition's accusations as "incorrect" and affirmed the government's adherence to the law and judicial decisions.
Written by urgent.news from Dawn's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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