ISLAMABAD: As the issue of incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan’s treatment in a hospital dominated the proceedings of the National Assembly on Friday, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq urged the government and opposition to first sit together on the appointment of the chief election commissioner, whose term is due to expire, so that the country could move towards political stability and harmony.
The Supreme Court had ordered PTI founder Imran Khan to be shifted to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad. However, in the early hours of Friday, the government shifted him to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), a public healthcare facility, without his personal physician, Dr Faisal Sultan, being present.
After the check-up, the government shifted Imran back to Adiala jail, drawing severe criticism from his family, party and supporters.
“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has recently invited the opposition for dialogue, a move welcomed by the opposition, so I think the time has come for both sides to sit together on the appointment of the chief election commissioner as a first step towards the dialogue process,” the speaker said while presiding over the NA session.
According to the Constitution, the consent of the leader of the opposition in the NA was mandatory for the names proposed by the government for the office of chief election commissioner.
The speaker said he had always tried to facilitate members of the opposition benches and had sometimes gone out of his way to accommodate them.
Speaking on the floor of the house, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said the PTI founder was in “good health” and urged the PTI not to politicise his health issues for political gains.
Responding to a point raised by PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan, the minister said the PTI founder’s sister had recently met him in jail and could testify about his health.
He added that the former prime minister’s personal physician had also been given access to information about his health.
“The PTI founder had some minor blood pressure and other age-related health issues, but there was no indication of any serious health threat,” Asif said, adding that Imran had been examined by doctors and was recovering.
He said reports regarding the PTI founder’s health would also become public and there was no need for unnecessary concern.
“Health issues should not be used as a political tool,” he said, recalling that political leaders across parties had faced imprisonment and health-related difficulties in the past.
The minister also referred to his own experience in prison, saying that when he required surgery, he was taken to a government hospital and did not demand treatment at a private facility.
He criticised the politicisation of health issues in the past, saying political opponents had mocked the genuine illnesses of political leaders, including former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
“The PTI should not adopt selective standards on such matters and should show greater political maturity and restraint,” he said. “The issue of the PTI founder’s health should not be exploited to gain political leverage.”
He prayed for the PTI founder’s continued health and long life, adding that there was currently no serious health concern regarding him.
Asif also stressed the need for political leaders to maintain consistent principles and avoid selectively using health-related issues for political purposes.
Earlier, the PTI chairman said the party had also directed its workers, supporters and leaders not to go to Shifa International Hospital. They had also been told not to make videos or create any situation that could affect the PTI founder’s treatment or inconvenience other patients.
He said the PTI’s political and core committees had held meetings and directed workers to respect the SC’s order and maintain a peaceful environment around the hospital.
Barrister Gohar said the PTI had stood with the state on important national issues, including Israel, Iran and tensions with India.
He urged all sides to consider the matter in the interest of democracy, saying the PTI remained committed to democratic and constitutional processes.
Barrister Gohar also appreciated PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for supporting the position that the PTI founder should receive necessary medical treatment.
“The PTI wants the issue to be addressed through legal, parliamentary and democratic means,” he stated.
Barrister Gohar said it was Imran’s right to be admitted to hospital for treatment. “Last night and today have been difficult days for our workers, as the government did not admit Khan Sahab to hospital and took him back to jail,” he added.
National Assembly Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai also lashed out at the government for not allowing Imran Khan to remain in hospital despite the Supreme Court’s orders.
“We have already directed PTI workers not to go to the hospital, as the opposition did not want to create any problems or hurdles in Imran Khan’s treatment. But when Imran was taken back to Adiala jail, the party and its workers were disappointed,” Achakzai said while speaking on the floor of the house.
