Home Minister also accuses India of terrorism in KP and Balochistan after Bajaur terror attack
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Tuesday criticized what he described as politicization of the health of jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan, accusing some individuals of “playing politics” on the issue.
Dismissing misinformation circulating on social media, he urged the public to rely on verified information rather than what he called “propaganda” that has caused unnecessary anxiety. He said the government and medical teams had acted responsibly and transparently in providing treatment to the former prime minister.
Briefing the media about Imran’s medical treatment and living conditions, amid concerns over his eye health, Naqvi said the former prime minister was taken to hospital for an injection in his eye, under strict medical precautions.
“It was an ordinary procedure that had to be carried out. Doctors were already doing checks and everything was there. The injection was done as a precaution at the hospital to ensure no germs or complications,” he said, adding that all prisoners have the right to medical care.
Read: Medical board says Imran’s vision is improving
Naqvi said opposition leaders from the National Assembly and Senate, along with other representatives, visited the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences and met with attending doctors for one and a half hours.
He added that the doctors also consulted with Imran Khan’s personal doctors over the phone for 45 minutes, answered detailed questions and described the treatment as “excellent” and “the best possible care”.
The minister said the medical examination was delayed for three days due to opposition and vetoes from the family, specifically citing Imran’s sister Aleema Khan.
“Aleema Khan told her party members that if we agree on everything, then this issue will subside. Because of them, the medical examination could not be conducted for three days. On the one hand, they are claiming sympathy and rapport, and on the other hand, a lot of politics has been played in this,” he said.
Naqvi further alleged that some individuals were seeking political gain by exaggerating the situation. “The political leaders almost all agreed, but Aleema Khan used to veto it. She said no to everything. When all the facts were presented to them, they were there, but the problem is they want to cash in on this thing,” he said.
Reiterating his criticism over the politicization of the issue, the interior minister asserted that Imran’s medical care was being handled in accordance with legal obligations and standard procedures.
Security situation in KP and Balochistan
Naqvi also highlighted the deteriorating security situation in the country, citing the recent terrorist attacks in Bajaur and Shangla.
“The fire of terrorism is intensifying in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Every day there is an incident. The KP government needs to focus a lot on this, and it is doing so. I will not say that the KP police are not fighting; they are fighting well. But until political leaders are on board, no fight can be won. All these things are detrimental to them,” he said.
He also raised concerns over the unrest in Balochistan, warning that those who attempted to derail governance or incite chaos, including through digital platforms, were acting against the public interest. “This is not a normal thing happening in KP and rest of Balochistan. If someone is intelligent and can see the situation clearly, he should come up with a logical solution,” he said.
The interior minister criticized India for acting as a proxy behind recent terrorist attacks, saying the strategy involved “pretending to be victims while simultaneously carrying out these attacks”. He added that Pakistani authorities are now working on international platforms to denounce and counter this tactic.
Naqvi urged political and party leaders to prioritize sensible actions and avoid unnecessary tensions. “Sane people are present everywhere, but the problem is that they are not heard. The public and these people must decide whether they will go with the sane people or with the rest of the people,” he said.
Imran Khan’s health
These developments come amid growing concerns over Imran’s eyesight deteriorating in detention, with the court noting that the PTI founder had expressed dissatisfaction with available medical facilities and had specifically requested access to specialist ophthalmologists.
During the hearing, the Chief Justice of Pakistan observed that all prisoners, including Imran, should be given equal medical care and that health issues take precedence over other issues.
Following the proceedings, the Supreme Court ordered the formation of a medical team to examine Imran’s eye and ordered that telephone contact with his children be terminated by February 16.
Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan assured the bench that the government would provide access to ophthalmologists and facilitate phone calls with Qasim and Salman.
Meanwhile, reports by lawyer Salman Safdar, acting as amicus curiae, detailed that Imran suffered a sudden and complete loss of vision in his right eye and was left with only 15% vision despite previous treatment.
The TTAP sit-in in Parliament entered its fifth day on Tuesday, with party leaders and family members of jailed PTI founder Imran Khan demanding access amid growing concerns over his health.
TTAP spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain Ahmed Yousafzai said the protest, which began on Friday, was aimed at allowing at least one family member or party representative to meet Khan and put an end to rumors about his condition.
Aleema reiterated that the family rejected the medical report submitted by the doctors appointed in prison and insisted that it be examined at Shifa International Hospital under the supervision of their personal doctor, adding that they would hold a press conference after the meeting.
