ISLAMABAD, Feb 13 (APP):Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhary said on Friday that claims of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder suffering from an eye problem since October were baseless.
Speaking to the media outside Parliament House, he said the PTI founder formally raised concerns about his eye condition on January 16. Two days before that, the jail’s eye specialist had already conducted an examination.
He said, on January 16, it was recommended that he be shifted to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for further evaluation at a specialized eye care facility equipped with advanced treatment options.
He clarified that the decision to shift the PTI founder to PIMS was not made at the request of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), but was taken by jail authorities and the government as part of their responsibility to ensure proper medical care.
“The decision was based on medical advice and the need for specialized treatment,” he said, adding that the PTI founder was shifted to the hospital for examination and necessary procedures.
The minister further said that on January 24, the PTI founder was administered an injection as per the doctor’s advice.
Dr Tariq Fazal said that the PTI founder’s sister, Uzma Khan, met him on December 2 and later spoke to the media outside Adiala Jail, and that she did not mention any eye-related illness.
“When asked about the PTI founder’s health, she stated on record that, ‘Alhamdulillah, his health is much better,’” the minister quoted her as saying, adding that the statement was broadcast live and remains part of the public record.
He reiterated that the government’s position is based on documented facts and media coverage, dismissing allegations of negligence regarding the former prime minister’s medical condition.
Dr Tariq said the government holds no personal animosity toward the PTI founder, stressing that differences with him are purely political in nature.
He added that political disagreements have been wrongly portrayed as personal hostility by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, calling such narratives harmful to the country’s political culture.
“We have no personal enmity with the PTI chief. Our differences are strictly political,” he said, adding that the former premier’s health and well-being remain a priority for the authorities.
The minister further said that the PTI founder is in jail due to criminal cases and not because of anyone’s personal will.
“Wherever it is decided that the PTI founder’s eye should be examined — whether at Al-Shifa Eye Trust Rawalpindi or any other institution recommended by the Supreme Court — he will be examined there,” he said.
“There will be no negligence in this matter. We want the entire nation to understand that this is a sensitive issue,” he added.
The minister said politicizing the issue or presenting facts in a distorted manner would be unfair. “If there is any negligence on our part, we will admit it. But based on the facts I have presented, this complaint was not from October,” he said.
“I assure you on behalf of the government, and other ministers have also assured on the floor of the Senate, that there will be no negligence in his treatment. This is a medical issue and should not be dealt with politically,” he added.