Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi played a key role in enabling communication between the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to implement an order issued by the Supreme Court of Pakistan, directing that PTI founder Imran Khan’s eye be examined, sources have said in a news report.
Contacts were established at a time when no formal channel existed between the two sides. These efforts led to an understanding on medically examining Imran Khan, who is currently held at Adiala Jail. The process, however, faced delays due to repeated changes in PTI’s position following consultations involving Aleema Khan, the sources said.
Under the arrangement discussed between both sides, the government agreed to constitute an independent medical board. PTI was allowed to nominate one independent doctor for inclusion in the board. PTI proposed the name of Dr Nadeem Qureshi, which was accepted by the authorities. The government also conveyed that PTI could nominate a family member to observe the process.
Sources said that after internal consultations, PTI initially nominated Imran Khan’s nephew Qasim Zaman as the family representative. This proposal was accepted, but was later withdrawn. PTI then requested that Dr Nosherwan Burki be allowed to act in that role.
While the PTI-nominated doctor could be part of the medical board, the inclusion of a family doctor as a representative was not feasible. PTI was informed that the nominated family representative should not be a doctor, and was asked to propose another name.
The repeated changes led to delays in finalising the arrangements. Some PTI leaders and members of the opposition alliance were also monitoring the situation during this period.
PTI further proposed that Imran Khan be shifted to Shifa International Hospital for admission. The government responded that any hospital admission would be subject to the recommendation of the medical board. It also conveyed that the Supreme Court order did not direct admission prior to the examination. This position was communicated to PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.
After no alternative arrangement was finalised by PTI, the independent medical board, including the PTI-nominated doctor, proceeded to Adiala Jail and conducted the examination.
Following the examination, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas were taken to meet the medical board, which briefed them on its findings. The government also facilitated telephonic consultations between the examining doctors and PTI-linked Lahore-based physicians Dr Asim Yousaf and Dr Khurram Mirza.
According to the medical board, no serious eye condition was identified. Imran Khan’s vision was recorded as 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other, and spectacles with a mild prescription were recommended.
