ISLAMABAD — Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said Wednesday that PTI founder Imran Khan will continue to receive all necessary medical facilities in accordance with the Constitution, law, and prison rules, while confirming the government will challenge a Supreme Court decision concerning the former prime minister.
Speaking at a press conference alongside Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, Tarar said a review petition would be filed against the apex court’s ruling, with a separate petition targeting the court’s direction regarding treatment at a private hospital.
Legal Framework Governs Prisoner Healthcare
Tarar emphasized that every prisoner has the right to healthcare under the law, noting that Imran Khan has already been provided medical treatment and facilities during his incarceration.
“The same medical facilities will continue to be available to him,” the minister stated, adding there was no ambiguity in the government’s position on the matter.
He explained that prisoners receive healthcare according to the prison manual, and the same procedure would be followed in Imran Khan’s case. The minister stressed that health matters should remain separate from politics.
Question Over Private Hospital Treatment
Tarar raised a legal question about whether treatment at a private hospital should be considered a right available to all prisoners, suggesting the matter requires careful legal consideration.
“Whether all prisoners have this right is a legal question,” he said, urging that the issue not be politicized.
The minister reiterated the government’s intention to pursue a review of the Supreme Court order concerning Imran Khan’s treatment at a private hospital.
Accusations of Politicizing Health
Tarar maintained that the PML-N has never politicized anyone’s health, while alleging that PTI leaders had previously turned the health of PML-N leaders into a subject of political debate.
He underscored that the government would ensure medical treatment aligns with constitutional provisions, legal requirements, and prison regulations rather than allowing the issue to become a political battleground.
