Category: National

An eye procedure performed on incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan was completed without complications, and he remained stable throughout, the executive director of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Professor Dr Rana Imran Sikander has confirmed. 

Speaking early Friday, the hospital chief said the treatment lasted around 20 minutes and was carried out smoothly, days after Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed that Khan had been taken to a hospital in Islamabad for an eye-related medical procedure late on January 24.

“It [the procedure] was completed smoothly in approximately 20 minutes. During the treatment, the patient remained vitally stable and was discharged with routine post-procedure care instructions and follow-up advice and documents,” said Sikander.

The clarification from PIMS comes a day after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) moved the Supreme Court of Pakistan, requesting the apex court’s assistance in arranging a meeting between the party’s founder and his personal doctors through the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP).

Dr Sikander said the 74-year-old former premier had complained of “reduced vision in his right eye”, prompting a thorough evaluation by a “qualified ophthalmologist” from PIMS, who conducted a “complete eye assessment at Adiala jail”.

According to the hospital head, the medical team carried out “strict lab examination, [ocular] endoscopy, intraocular pressure measurement, essential laboratory tests and OCT of the retina” as part of the assessment.

He added that the findings led to a diagnosis of right central vein occlusion, after which hospital-based treatment was advised.

“Accordingly, Mr Niazi was brought to PIMS on the night of last Saturday, Sunday for the advised procedure.”

Dr Sikander said that upon arrival at the hospital, the former prime minister was briefed in detail about the procedure.

“Informed consent was obtained from the patient prior to the procedure. The procedure was carried out in the operation theatre under standard sterile protocol and monitoring,” said Dr Sikander.

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari has hit out at senior journalist Hamid Mir after he criticised the provincial government over the handling of the Lahore manhole tragedy from Wednesday night.

As per the details, the information minister was reacting to a viral video of Mir wherein he accused the Punjab government of spreading false information and attempting to shift blame in the aftermath of the incident.

Referring to official statements, Mir said government and police sources, particularly the Punjab info minister, initially declared the incident as “fake news”.

“On one hand, the media reported that a woman and her child had fallen into an open manhole and rescue teams were searching for them. On the other, government and police sources kept calling it fake news.”

He said the situation only changed after the bodies were recovered hours later.

“First, the woman’s body was found. A few hours later, the body of her nine-month-old daughter was recovered. If this had not happened, the entire blame would have been placed on the poor husband,” he said, adding that police would have made him admit that he killed his wife and daughter, and disposed of the bodies.

Criticising the provincial leadership, Mir also said the government repeatedly claimed it had turned Punjab into a model province.

“The chief minister frequently criticises other provinces, and the information minister not only attacks other provinces but also targets journalists she dislikes, accusing them of spreading fake news,” he said, adding that Bukhari had in this case made false claims herself.

It merits a mention that Mir was referring to initial statements by Bukhari among other government officials who either rejected the manhole story as fake or hinted at foul play involving the husband of the victim.

While CM Maryam Nawaz said that Bukhari was not at fault as she only shared information relayed by the administration that was attempting to hide its own negligence, the information minister hit out at Mir in an X post, sharing screenshots of his past reports that were later fact-checked and rejected.

“Senior and well-known journalists whose countless reports turned out to be fake and who never even felt ashamed still think they can lecture others,” she wrote.

Sharing Mir’s video, the information minister also went on to challenge him to present any evidence regarding his allegations.

جید اور معروف صحافی جنکی بے تحاشا خبریں فیک نکلیں اور آج تک وہ شرمندہ تک نہیں ہوئے،وہ بھی کسی کو بات کرنے کے قابل ہیں؟کچھ مثالیں میں نے دے دیں
برائے مہربانی جو ثبوت میرے متعلق ہیں جنکا ذکر فرمایا ہے وہ جاری کردیں ،اول تو بہت سارے ٹاک شوز کرہی نہیں پاتی اور زیادہ تر ون آن ون ہوتے… https://t.co/fB4WzEFlnP pic.twitter.com/ogU9089CPw

— Azma Zahid Bokhari (@AzmaBokhariPMLN) January 30, 2026

“I rarely appear on talk shows, and most of my interviews are one-on-one. When did I commit this injustice? Please tell me?” she added in response to another claim by Mir who accused the minister of “only sitting with certain journalists and targeting others who decline invitations”.

It may be noted that public apologies over false claims regarding the incident have already been issued, and action has been initiated against officials who were responsible for it.

A reporter speaking  on a private news channel program claimed that the husband of a woman and her infant daughter who died after falling into a manhole in Lahore was subjected to violence while in police custody and was pressured to confess to killing his family.

“He was kept under pressure and repeatedly told to admit that he had killed them,” the reporter said, claiming the man was not produced before the media because of the treatment he received in custody. The reporter said police officials prevented the husband from speaking publicly and accused him of lying from the outset.

According to the reporter, police officers repeatedly told media representatives that no such incident had taken place and described the case as a personal dispute. “Police kept saying this incident did not happen and that it was just a fight between the husband and wife,” he said, adding that officers claimed the man’s body language suggested he had killed the woman and child elsewhere and disposed of their bodies.

The reporter said police maintained this position even after the husband was the one who contacted Rescue 1122 at around 7:30pm, reporting that his wife and daughter had fallen into an open sewerage line near Bhatti Chowk.

Referring to the search operation, the reporter said senior police officers were present at the scene, while the DIG Operations arrived later at night to brief the media. “The DIG came close to 1am only to announce that a body had been found,” he said, adding that the recovery was carried out by rescue teams and not police.

He further claimed that rescue operations slowed after police declared the incident “fake.” “When rescue was asked to step aside, the bodies were carried further away by the water”.
 

The bodies were recovered nearly 17 hours after the incident. The woman’s body was found at a disposal station on Outfall Road, while the body of the 10-month-old child was recovered from an area near Saggian.

Earlier, Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Zaheer Iqbal described reports of the incident as “fake news,” a statement that drew backlash after both bodies were recovered.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz later ordered the formation of a fact-finding committee and suspended two officials of the Traffic Engineering and Planning Agency over uncovered manholes.

Special assistant to the Chief Minister (CM) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Shafi Jan, appeared on a private TV program to discuss the ongoing situation in Tirah Valley, where thousands of families have been displaced amid worsening security and harsh winter conditions.

During the program, Shafi Jan repeatedly highlighted that the provincial government had set aside four billion rupees to facilitate displaced civilians, but he appeared uncertain when asked about the broader military operation itself.

When the host asked,“If you had set aside four billion rupees, then you knew this was going to happen,” Shafi Jan said, “We knew that despite our objections, the military establishment and the government were going to impose a military operation on us.” 

He added, “When the operation would be imposed, there would be evacuations. When evacuations took place, in this harsh weather, we had to facilitate them. These are our people; it is our responsibility. Our government had set aside four billion rupees for this. We were fully prepared to facilitate the displaced people.”

He further explained that the allocation was formalized by the cabinet on November 14, and that additional funds had been provided in Kurram and Bajaur: “We had allocated four billion rupees for facilitation. We passed it through the Cabinet on November 14. We are also giving an additional amount to these people: three billion in Kurram, three billion in Bajaur. The provincial government provided it. Operations are conducted, people are displaced – just for a minute, people are displaced.”

Later in the program, when the anchor asked whether the provincial government had anticipated the operation or merely suspected it, Shafi Jan acknowledged that they were aware of the situation.

He said that a jirga was taking place and that the military operation was being imposed despite their objections. He emphasized that the provincial government knew the intentions and actions of those conducting the operation and that, despite their objections, they were fully prepared to manage the evacuations and assist the displaced people.

Shafi Jan’s statements underline a mix of awareness and uncertainty, showing that while the provincial government was prepared to assist civilians, it did not directly control the operational decisions in Tirah Valley.

The evacuation in Tirah Valley began on January 10. According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), more than 11,400 families have been registered, with over 10,000 relocated to safer areas including Bara and Peshawar. 

The displacement has led to conflicting narratives between the provincial and federal governments: the federal authorities maintain that only intelligence-based operations (IBOs) under the National Action Plan (NAP) are underway, while the provincial government has emphasized its role in facilitating displaced civilians and providing necessary support in harsh weather conditions.

Imran Khan’s sister Noreen Niazi has raised serious questions regarding an alleged late-night hospital visit of the jailed former prime minister.

In a statement posted on X, she said multiple journalists and media sources reported that Khan was taken under the cover of night to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Hospital for eye treatment, where he remained for three hours before being returned to Adiala Jail. 

“If this news is true, it is not merely oppression, it is a blatant crime,” Niazi wrote.

She demanded that authorities immediately allow the family, personal doctors, and lawyers to meet Khan, and that his complete medical reports be made public.

“Why does no one have the courage to tell the truth to Imran Khan’s family and lawyers? Who is this being hidden from, and on whose orders?” she asked. 

She added, “This is no longer a request, it is a final warning!”.

The statement drew reactions on social media. One user said, “Transferring a leader under cover of darkness and hiding his condition from his family is not governance – it’s a thuggish tactic. The nation’s eyes are now wide open, and we will hold every responsible person accountable for any harm done.” 

Another wrote, “If this is true, it’s deeply alarming. Any medical treatment carried out in secrecy demands answers. Imran Khan’s family, lawyers, and doctors must be given immediate access, and his medical reports made public. Transparency is not optional.”

Separately, PTI leader Asad Umar commented on X, questioning why doctors from Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital were not allowed to see Khan. 

He wrote, “Why not let Shaukat Khanum doctors see @ImranKhanPTI? Have they ever made political statements after seeing Imran Khan? Have they ever given statements about his health which were not accurate?”

The statement from Niazi comes amid PTI claims regarding Khan’s health. The party said it had learned through credible reports that Khan had been diagnosed with central retinal vein occlusion in his right eye, a condition described as extremely serious and requiring immediate treatment to prevent permanent vision loss. 

PTI alleged that jail authorities were insisting on treatment within the prison, despite medical advice that specialised facilities were required. 

The party also said Khan was last allowed to see his personal physician in October 2024, despite court orders permitting regular check-ups.

PTI demanded that Khan be transferred to Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital or another hospital of his choice, and called for his family, close associates, and personal doctors to have unrestricted access.
 

Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital also issued a statement expressing concern over Khan’s health and requested that its physicians be allowed to participate in his care.

The National Assembly’s standing committee on Religious Affairs has forwarded recommendations to the Ministry of Religious affairs regarding a proposed parliamentary visit to Makkah and Madinah.

The recommendations were discussed during a meeting of the standing committee chaired by Shagufta Jumani. During the meeting, it was proposed that a parliamentary delegation travel annually to Madinah and to attend prayers at Roza-e-Rasool and perform Umrah on behalf of the public.

According to the recommendations, the National Assembly would bear the expenses for air tickets, accommodation, and meals in Makkah and Madinah. 

It was also suggested that hotel accommodation or official lodging be arranged for the delegation and that a protocol officer be appointed to assist them during the visit. The committee proposed that the delegation consist of 10 members and that it travel every year. 

During the meeting, the issue of allowing family members to accompany delegation members was also discussed. Some committee members supported allowing family members to travel, while others stated that if family members were included, their expenses should be borne personally. 

There was also discussion regarding the size of the delegation, with some members suggesting an increase in the number of participants.

Reports quoted sources that the delegation was described during the meeting as representing the public. It was also reported that the proposal was discussed among committee members and the minister, including member of National Assembly Sardar Muhammad Yousaf.

Separately, the National Assembly Secretariat clarified that no approval has yet been granted for a parliamentary delegation to perform Umrah or visit Roza-e-Rasool at state expense. The secretariat stated that under a 2016 resolution, members of parliament have been visiting Roza-e-Rasool each year at their own expense.

According to the secretariat, the recommendations have currently been forwarded to the Ministry of Religious Affairs and will be sent to the Speaker of the National Assembly for final approval. No decision has yet been taken on the implementation of the proposal.

Public anger spread on social media after the body of a woman who fell into an open sewerage line along with her minor daughter near Bhatti Chowk in Lahore was recovered, while the child still remains missing. 

Lahore Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Operations Faisal Kamran said the woman’s body was found at a disposal station on Outfall Road. Addressing questions on whether the water flow was sufficient to carry a person, Kamran said the timing of the incident was being ignored.

“You should also look at the time difference. When it happened, the water flow was fast; those are peak hours,” he said, adding that the flow was reduced later in the night.

Asked whether police would register a case, the DIG said action would be taken according to the wishes of the family. “Whatever the family says and whatever their opinion is, we will act according to that,” he said.

Lahore Operations Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mohammad Tauqir said police had taken the woman’s husband into custody for questioning. Speaking to a private media outlet, Tauqir said the man had contacted Rescue 1122 around 7:30pm, alleging that his wife and daughter had fallen into the sewerage line.

“It would be premature to say she was murdered or died in an accident,” the SSP said.

According to Tauqir, the husband was taken into custody following a statement by the woman’s father, who alleged the couple had not been on good terms for the past few months. He said the father had expressed doubts over the husband’s role, despite the husband being the one who informed rescue services.

As details emerged, several reactions criticised official handling of the incident. One reaction said, “Imagine the agony, pain and torment of this unfortunate family whose two beloved ones fell into a sewage line right in front of their eyes, and then instead of standing with them in their grief, the government and official institutions are now conducting investigations against them.”

Other reactions targeted the Punjab government. One comment described the incident as “a slap in the face for the fake Form 47 government of Punjab,” while suggesting that official narratives would shift toward claims of performance.

Concerns over infrastructure were also raised. One reaction said, “A 23-year-old woman and her nine-month-old daughter fell into an open manhole in Lahore. No lights where people walk, but plenty in parks and graveyards.” The same comment criticised the absence of warnings near open manholes.

Several reactions referenced public statements by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. One comment said, “Didn’t Maryam Nawaz say the other day that she checks these manholes at night? Pure drama.” 

Another reaction referred to a video in which instructions were given to cover manholes or use barbed wire, questioning whether such statements were meant for publicity.

Another comment suggested limited accountability, saying, “Maryam Nawaz will just dismiss the DC in the morning in front of cameras while the people continue to suffer.”

Following the incident, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz took notice and ordered the formation of a fact-finding committee, directing it to submit a report within 24 hours. Two officials of the Traffic Engineering and Planning Agency (TEPA), a subsidiary of the Lahore Development Authority, were suspended with immediate effect over uncovered manholes.

Earlier, a Rescue 1122 spokesperson said teams were dispatched after receiving the report, confirming that a search operation had been launched.

A consumer court has issued notices to clothing brand Maria B and courier company PostEx after a customer alleged that he received a sack of flour instead of garments worth more than Rs50,000.

The consumer court has summoned both defendants to appear on January 31 to respond to the allegations.

According to reports, Muhammad Usman Malik filed the application under consumer protection laws before the judicial magistrate of the consumer court East. 

He accused Maria B and PostEx of “gross negligence”, service deficiencies and unfair trade practices.

According to the application, Malik placed an order on December 1, 2025, through Maria B’s official website for garments worth Rs55,864. Four days later, the courier service informed him that the parcel was out for delivery and shared the rider’s details along with a tracking number.

Malik stated that when he opened the parcel after delivery, he found a five-kilogram sack of flour instead of the ordered garments.

He claimed that he immediately lodged a complaint with Maria B’s customer support via email but did not receive a timely response. He later sent a legal notice to both the clothing brand and the courier company through his lawyer.

In response to the notice, Malik said the brand initially assured him that it would refund the amount. However, he alleged that the company later offered him a voucher or coupon instead of a cash refund.

The plaintiff has requested the court to order a refund of Rs55,864 along with 25 percent interest. He has also sought Rs200,000 in compensation for mental agony, stress, discomfort and hardship.