The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has escalated its criticism over the medical treatment of its incarcerated founder, Imran Khan, alleging that authorities are stalling a critical heart examination recommended by a specialized medical board.
Party leaders claim that despite repeated requests and explicit medical advice, the former prime minister has yet to undergo an echocardiogram and other cardiac assessments deemed necessary by his doctors. The delay has become a fresh point of contention in the ongoing legal and political standoff surrounding Khan’s detention at Adiala Jail.
“They are playing with his health,” a senior PTI spokesperson told reporters in Islamabad earlier today. “The medical board specifically requested these tests weeks ago. Every day of silence from the jail administration is a deliberate risk.”
The jail administration has maintained that all medical protocols are being followed. Officials in the Punjab Prisons Department previously stated that Khan is under constant observation and that his health remains “satisfactory” given his age and circumstances. However, they have consistently declined to comment on the specifics of individual diagnostic tests, citing security and privacy regulations.
Legal experts following the case note that the right to adequate medical care is enshrined in the Pakistan Prison Rules. If the party can prove in court that necessary medical evaluations are being denied without clinical justification, the judiciary could intervene to order an independent medical audit.
Khan, 71, has faced a series of legal challenges since his ouster in 2022. His supporters argue that the lack of transparency regarding his health is part of a broader strategy to isolate him from the political process. The government has denied these allegations, labeling them as attempts to pressure the judiciary.
The party has indicated it will file a formal petition with the Islamabad High Court this week, seeking an order to ensure the tests are conducted at a reputable private hospital. Whether the court grants that request or defers to the jail’s existing medical facilities remains the core question.
For now, the standoff continues—with Khan’s lawyers waiting for a response that the administration refuses to provide on the record.
