PTI leader raises concerns over Imran’s medical check-up at Adiala jail in ‘secrecy’

Latif Khosa writes to CJP

ISLAMABAD: PTI leader Latif Khosa wrote a letter to Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi on Monday, voicing concerns over the medical examination of incarcerated party founder Imran Khan in “secrecy” at the Adiala jail on February 15 (Sunday).

A team of doctors conducted the former premier’s medical check-up a day ago, following the Supreme Court’s directives that a medical team should be constituted to examine him before February 16 (today). The directive was issued after the court was informed that Imran had only 15pc vision left in his right eye.

However, the PTI rejected the check-up conducted without his family and personal physicians.

In his letter, Khosa raised concerns to this end, identifying himself as a counsel for Imran in a plea pertaining to the Toshakhana case against his client.

He said Imran’s medical examination in “secrecy, without notice to the family or independent doctors, has given rise to serious apprehensions”.

“The continued exclusion of the petitioner’s family and personal medical practitioners from information concerning his health has created unavoidable doubts. Such secrecy not only undermines confidence in the medical process but is also causing unrest and distress among his family members, friends and supporters,” the letter stated.

Khosa underlined in the letter that Imran was 73 years old, and “his advancing age and declining health are matters of grave concern not only for his family but for the people of Pakistan at large”.

“Being one of the most widely supported political leaders in the country, public interest in his wellbeing is natural and unavoidable. Yet, despite this, he remains deprived of basic human necessities during a period when his medical condition demands care and transparency,” he added.

He further said that “for the past few months, reports have surfaced across Pakistan raising serious concerns regarding the deterioration of the petitioner’s eyesight and overall health”.

“These reports, coupled with the continued denial of access to family members, have created deep uncertainty.”

In these circumstances, Khosa continued, the SC was approached for relief and appointed Barrister Salman Safdar as a “friend of the court” on February 10, permitting him to visit Imran in jail. Staff Report