Row over Imran Khan’s health sparks uproar in Senate; opposition threatens protest

ISLAMABAD: Opposition Leader in the Senate Alama Raja Nasir Abbas accused the government on Thursday of negligence over the health of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, saying he had lost 85 per cent vision in one eye due to delayed medical treatment, a charge the government denied.

The remarks were made during a Senate session chaired by Presiding Officer Senator Waqar Mehdi.

Alama Nasir Abbas sought to suspend the day’s agenda to discuss Khan’s health.

According to Abbas, medical issues affecting Khan were not addressed for three months after he informed jail authorities, resulting in severe loss of sight in one eye.

“The responsibility lies with the government,” Abbas said, warning authorities not to push matters to the streets. How many people will you shoot? We will take bullets to our chests,” he added.

Khan, the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), is currently imprisoned at Adiala jail in Rawalpindi.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar told the Senate that Khan’s health was “absolutely fine”, citing a report submitted to the Supreme Court by his lawyer, Barrister Salman Safdar, following a court order.

Tarar said that the report detailed medical facilities provided to Khan in jail, including regular meals and exercise equipment, and did not state that treatment had been denied.

He said that Khan had expressed satisfaction with his treatment whenever he was attended to.

“The Supreme Court has reviewed both reports and directed that he may be examined by another specialist if required,” Tarar said, urging the opposition not to politicise the issue.

Abbas alleged that Khan was treated at a public hospital by a doctor not specialised in his condition and was administered an injection after which his eyesight further deteriorated.

He called for treatment by specific specialists in Rawalpindi and Islamabad and demanded an investigation, saying Adiala jail falls under the jurisdiction of the Punjab government.

PTI lawmakers protested in the chamber following Tarar’s remarks, rising from their seats and chanting slogans.

Senator Nasir Butt objected to PTI senators displaying photographs of Khan in the chamber, prompting the presiding officer to order their removal in line with existing rulings prohibiting the display of images.

The session saw heated exchanges, with Tarar warning that proceedings could be suspended if disorder continued.

Despite the disruption, the Senate passed amendments to the Pakistan Citizenship Act of 1951, introduced by Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry.

 Lawmakers also approved amendments to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Ordinance and to the Newspaper Employees (Conditions of Service) Act, 1973.

An amendment bill to the Hemp Control and Regulatory Authority Act, 2024, was introduced but deferred until the next sitting.

The Senate session was later adjourned until 10:30 am on Friday.