Says the founder’s family should be allowed to meet him, condemns terrorist attacks in Balochistan
PTI Central Secretary of Information Sheikh Waqas Akram. Photo: Express
PAKISTAN:
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Saturday rejected the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) report on party founder Imran Khan’s eye treatment, demanding that he be treated at Shaukat Khanum Hospital and that his family be allowed to meet him.
PIMS had confirmed a day earlier that Imran was taken to the hospital late on the night between last Saturday and Sunday, where, after his consent was obtained, he was administered an anti-VEGF intravitreal injection to treat a right central retinal vein occlusion.
PTI Central Secretary of Information Sheikh Waqas Akram, speaking on Express News programme ‘Centre Stage’, said the party did not accept any PIMS report. “Treatment of the PTI founder should be done at Shaukat Khanum, and the founder’s family should be allowed to meet him. Our response is that these reports and vlogs should stop. We will not be satisfied with these actions,” he stated.
He recalled that during the PTI government, when PML-N President Nawaz Sharif was ill, Imran had said political differences should be set aside and that no one’s life should be politicised.
Akram emphasised that public emotions should not be exploited. “We say that the PTI founder should be treated at Shaukat Khanum, not PIMS,” he added.
He questioned the relevance of objections to an examination by the founder’s own doctor. “Were meetings with the founder not arranged before? Now we are being lectured about jail manuals and laws,” he said.
Responding to National Assembly opposition leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai’s statement that news about Imran’s illness had been exaggerated, Akram said, “We respect Achakzai’s opinion. It is possible that he has information that we do not have.”
Read: Imran ‘treated smoothly’ for retinal condition at PIMS, executive director confirms
Following a political committee meeting on Thursday, Achakzai had said that the Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-i-Aain Pakistan had already announced that February 8 would be observed as a black day. He added that the issue of Imran’s health was being raised to divert workers from this objective. “I assert that Imran Khan’s health is not as bad as it has been portrayed through propaganda,” he had said.
Akram said that until meetings with the family or Dr Asim Yousaf take place, voters and party workers would not feel reassured. “Achakzai should take the founder to Dr Asim himself,” he added.
He said that while Achakzai may have some information, concerns from ordinary party workers or the family could not come from anyone else.
Regarding a meeting between PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja and Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi, Akram said the interaction had not been very fruitful. “Were there any tangible results from the meeting? Did the family or party leaders get to meet the founder?” he asked.
Separately, he condemned attacks carried out by terrorists of banned organisations in Balochistan, saying terrorists should not be allowed any space under any circumstances.
He added that the PTI had convened a meeting to discuss the situation in the province. “We condemn terrorism, and action should be taken against terrorists. They must be dealt with firmly. What is the law-and-order situation in Balochistan? We will give an official response on the situation there,” he said.
Also Read: Imran’s consent obtained for eye procedure: PIMS
He urged the government to clarify steps taken to secure the area and outline its counterterrorism strategy, stressing that political differences should not overshadow the need to safeguard the country. “Political differences aside, terrorists should not be given any space. The security of the State of Pakistan is paramount,” he said.
Addressing recent controversies over an audio attributed to him, Akram said, “There is nothing controversial in my audio.”
He dismissed claims that he had blamed Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, saying the matter had already been clarified and the propaganda had failed. “We support Sohail Afridi because the PTI founder appointed him as chief minister,” he added.
He further said that while the party supported CM Afridi, it could still discuss matters concerning him internally.
“Internal discussions were taking place. If there had been any wrongdoing, it would have been addressed on a public forum. People simply exaggerated the matter. The explanation given by Party Chairman Barrister Gohar regarding my audio is correct,” he said.
