Uzma Khan Details Imran’s Hospital Transfer, Raises Concerns Over Jail Conditions

Uzma Khan recounts Imran’s transfer from Adiala jail to Pims and says doctors linked his health complications to solitary confinement

By News Desk
By News Desk
UZMA KHAN

Jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s sister, Uzma Khan, said on Friday that the PTI founder told her doctors had linked his health complications to prolonged solitary confinement.

Uzma made the remarks during a press conference in Islamabad, where she detailed her account of Imran’s transfer from Adiala jail to a hospital for a medical examination. She was accompanied by Imran’s personal physician, Dr Faisal Sultan.

Imran was taken to a medical facility following directions from the Supreme Court after the superintendent of Adiala jail submitted a report regarding his health condition. The court had ordered authorities to transfer the former premier to Shifa International Hospital for medical assessment and treatment.

Read more: Imran Khan Declared Medically Fit After Overnight Examination at Pims

However, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar later said Imran was instead taken to the government-run Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), where a team of doctors examined him and declared him medically fit.

Uzma Receives Call to Reach Adiala Jail

According to Uzma, she and Dr Sultan received a phone call on Friday asking them to reach Adiala jail.

“We reached the Adiala jail at around 8-8:30pm,” she said.

She recalled that after arriving at the prison, they were taken to the room of a deputy superintendent of police whom she identified as Sibtain.

Uzma said Sibtain later asked Dr Sultan to accompany him outside the room while she remained inside.

“After around 10 to 15 minutes, a female assistant sub-inspector took me to a car,” she said.

According to Uzma, police officials did not respond to her questions during the process, including her queries about the whereabouts of Dr Sultan.

She said she was subsequently taken to Pims in a car escorted by a police vehicle and a Land Cruiser.

Family Questioned Hospital Transfer

Uzma said she questioned officials about why she was being taken to Pims when the Supreme Court had specifically directed that Imran be transferred to Shifa International Hospital.

“I asked them why you have brought me here; the Supreme Court has instructed for his treatment at Shifa International Hospital,” she said.

According to Uzma, officials told her that the purpose of the visit was a follow-up related to Imran’s eye treatment.

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Imran has previously been taken to Pims for treatment following the diagnosis of right central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), an eye condition that affects blood flow through the retina.

The ailment became a major concern earlier this year, with reports about the condition of Imran’s eyesight prompting further medical assessments.

‘It Was Dark All Around’

Uzma also described what she said were unusual circumstances surrounding her arrival at Pims.

“It was dark all around,” she said while recounting her visit to the hospital.

She said she was taken to an office while following a man whose mobile phone was being used to provide light because of the darkness.

Uzma said she assumed the office belonged to a senior official or the head of a department at Pims.

Her account comes amid questions over the circumstances of Imran’s transfer and the difference between the Supreme Court’s directions and the facility where the medical examination ultimately took place.

Government Says Imran Was Medically Fit

The government has maintained that Imran received the medical attention required during the overnight visit.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said a team of qualified doctors, including an ophthalmologist, cardiologist and physician, conducted a detailed medical examination of the PTI founder at Pims.

According to Tarar, the doctors declared Imran “medically fit” following the assessment.

He also said Imran’s sister remained present during the medical examination and treatment process.

Tarar later explained that Imran was taken to Pims because of security concerns surrounding Shifa International Hospital. He alleged that PTI workers had created a security situation along the route to and outside the private hospital.

After the examination was completed, Imran was returned to Adiala jail at around 5am on Friday.

Health Concerns Remain at Centre of Dispute

Uzma’s account has added another dimension to the ongoing dispute over Imran’s health and prison conditions.

The Supreme Court had ordered his transfer to a medical facility after considering a report concerning his health. The court also directed that a medical board assess and treat him, with his sister and personal physician allowed to be present.

The government subsequently challenged the decision through a review petition, arguing that the Supreme Court’s order exceeded its jurisdiction and that existing prison rules already provided a procedure for transferring prisoners to hospitals.

The review petition was returned by the Supreme Court’s Registrar Office after objections were raised.

Meanwhile, PTI leaders have continued to argue that Imran’s prison conditions are contributing to his deteriorating wellbeing and have raised the possibility of transferring him to another location if doctors determine that remaining in jail could adversely affect his health.

The conflicting accounts over his hospital transfer, medical condition and prison environment are likely to keep Imran Khan’s health at the centre of Pakistan’s political debate.

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