RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan was shifted from Adiala Jail to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad late Tuesday night for a detailed medical examination and was returned to prison after receiving medical attention, jail and hospital sources said on Wednesday.
According to the sources, he was taken to the hospital around 1:40am under tight security. A special medical team, which was already present at PIMS, examined him and checked his blood pressure, temperature and eyes, besides conducting other necessary tests.
A PIMS official said Imran Khan remained at the hospital for around one and a half hours. After the examination and provision of necessary treatment and medication, he was shifted back to Adiala Jail at around 3:25am.
Jail officials said a special medical team constituted to examine the PTI founder could also issue a report on his health on Wednesday. However, no detailed findings from the latest examination have been made public so far.
The hospital visit came three days after a PIMS medical team, led by Dr Arif Khan, visited Adiala Jail on Sunday evening to examine Imran and his wife, Bushra Bibi. The team, assisted by jail hospital staff, checked their blood pressure, temperature and pulse, reviewed their medication and assessed their overall condition.
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His health has also been raised during court proceedings. During the hearing of appeals in the £190 million reference, lawyer Salman Safdar told the court that his client’s blood pressure was not remaining under control. He said Imran had told him during a jail meeting that his high blood pressure put him at risk of a brain haemorrhage.
The PTI founder’s sister, Dr Uzma Khan, and party leaders have repeatedly called for his transfer to a private medical facility, citing concerns over the treatment available in prison. They have referred to a Supreme Court order issued in August in support of their demand, while the government has maintained that he is receiving the required medical care.
Meanwhile, the Islamabad High Court has directed Adiala Jail authorities to arrange a one-hour meeting between Imran and his lawyers, Salman Safdar and Sardar Latif Khosa, on Wednesday. The meeting is also to include Bushra Bibi.
