A shocking revelation has emerged regarding the treatment of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is currently behind bars. Khan's spokesman alleges that the ex-PM has been denied proper medical care for a serious eye condition, sparking concerns about his health and well-being.
The spokesman, Zulfi Bukhari, shared with Sky News' The World with Yalda Hakim that Khan's personal doctor has been barred from examining him. This comes after Khan reportedly lost a significant portion of his vision in one eye, with claims of an 85% loss in his right eye. The situation is dire, and the question arises: Why is his personal doctor being kept away?
A fully equipped ambulance with a team of doctors was dispatched to the prison, but Bukhari questioned the decision not to transfer Khan to a hospital with the necessary facilities. The medical team's findings were relayed to Khan's physician, but Bukhari emphasized that this information is second-hand.
The controversy deepens as Bukhari asks, "Why are we getting phone calls and just being told reports?" He demands the presence of Khan's personal doctor or, at the very least, a visit after the check-up. This request extends to family members, who have been kept in the dark about Khan's condition.
Khan, 73, has been in solitary confinement at Adiala prison for approximately 90 days, according to Bukhari. The secrecy surrounding his confinement raises further concerns. Why is he being isolated, and why is his family being excluded from his care?
The situation took a turn in January when the Pakistani government revealed that Khan underwent a brief procedure for his eye condition. However, Bukhari asserts that neither Khan's family nor his legal team was informed, a violation of his basic rights as a prisoner.
The Supreme Court intervened, allowing Khan's lawyer, Salman Safdar, to visit him. Safdar reported Khan's vision loss to the court, leading to a court-ordered medical assessment by a panel of doctors.
Supporters of Khan's party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), have taken to the streets in Islamabad and other cities, demanding his transfer to a hospital for specialized eye treatment. The public outcry reflects the growing concern over Khan's health.
In a recent development, Cabinet Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry stated that a detailed medical examination was conducted in prison, and doctors reported an improvement in Khan's eyesight. However, Khan's personal physician, Dr. Aasim Yusuf, could not confirm or deny this assessment as he has been denied access to his patient.
The Supreme Court also ordered a phone call between Khan and his sons, who had not spoken to their father for months. They fear they may never see him again, as he is allegedly being psychologically tortured in a 'death cell'.
Khan's sons were granted a 20-minute call over the weekend, and his sister expressed her brother's joy at hearing their voices. Yet, the sons' visas to visit their father in prison have been repeatedly delayed, which Bukhari calls 'ridiculous' and 'inhumane'.
As Khan remains in prison, his spokesman claims that Pakistan is in decline, with the focus solely on keeping him isolated. This, Bukhari argues, is tearing the country apart.
Khan's imprisonment stems from a series of convictions, including a three-year sentence for illegally selling state gifts, a 14-year sentence for corruption, and a 17-year sentence for buying state gifts at a discounted price. These convictions followed his ousting in a 2022 parliamentary vote, which Khan believes was politically motivated.
Despite his circumstances, Khan remains optimistic about his future. When asked if he believed in his release, Bukhari shared Khan's determination to not only leave prison but also lead the country again. This optimism is rooted in Khan's past successes, including his iconic victory in the 1992 Cricket World Cup.
As the situation unfolds, the public awaits the Pakistani government's response to these allegations. The well-being of a former leader and the integrity of the justice system are at stake, leaving many wondering what the future holds for Imran Khan.
