Imran Khan admitted to hospital, govt reveals illness

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan was admitted to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for eye treatment, the country’s Federal Information and Broadcasting Minister Ataullah Tarar said.

In an interview with a private television channel on Thursday (January 29), Tarar said that ophthalmologists at Adiala Jail after examining Imran Khan recommended that he be admitted to PIMS for advanced evaluation and treatment. He was admitted to the hospital on Saturday night as per that recommendation.

Ataullah Tarar said that doctors at PIMS re-examined his eyes and after taking Imran Khan’s written consent, a minor treatment procedure lasting about 20 minutes was performed. After the treatment, he was taken back to Adiala Jail with necessary instructions.

He said that during the entire treatment process, Imran Khan’s vital signs were normal and his overall health was satisfactory. "He is completely healthy," he said. The minister also mentioned that prisoners are provided with medical facilities and specialist services if needed as per prison rules.

Earlier, top leaders of PTI and their allied parties held a joint press conference on Wednesday, expressing concern over Imran Khan's health. They claimed that party leaders and family members are not being given the opportunity to meet the imprisoned former prime minister regularly.

At the press conference, PTI Chairman Barrister Gauhar Ali Khan said, "There has been no meeting with Imran Khan after December 20." He said that an application was made to the court for permission to meet, but approval has not been received yet. At the same time, he claimed that Imran Khan was recently suffering from an eye infection.

However, rejecting the rumors spread on social media, the information minister said that the claim that Imran Khan's health is serious is completely baseless. "Alhamdulillah, he is completely fine," said Tarar.