Naqvi criticises politicisation of Imran Khan’s health, accuses opponents of ‘playing politics’

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Tuesday criticised what he described as the politicisation of jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan’s health, accusing certain individuals of “playing politics” over the issue.

Addressing a press conference at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, he dismissed misinformation circulating on social media and urged the public to rely on verified reports rather than what he termed “propaganda” that has caused unnecessary anxiety. He said the government and medical teams had acted with full responsibility and transparency in providing treatment to the former premier.

Briefing the media on Imran’s medical treatment and living conditions amid concerns over his eye health, Naqvi said the former prime minister had been taken to hospital for an eye injection under strict medical precautions.

“This was an ordinary procedure that had to be done. Doctors were already conducting check-ups, and everything was there. The injection was done as a precaution at the hospital to ensure no germs or complications,” he said, adding that all prisoners are entitled to medical care.

Read: Medical board says Imran’s vision improving

Naqvi said opposition leaders from the National Assembly and Senate, along with other representatives, visited the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences and met the treating doctors for one and a half hours.

He added that the doctors also consulted Imran’s personal physicians by phone for 45 minutes, answered detailed questions and termed the treatment “excellent” and “the best possible care”.

The minister stated that the medical check-up had been delayed for three days due to opposition and family vetoes, specifically naming Imran’s sister, Aleema Khan.

“Aleema Khan has told her party people that if we agree to everything, then this issue will die down. Because of them, the medical checkup could not be done for three days. On the one hand, they claim sympathy and relationships, and on the other hand, a lot of politics has been played in this,” he said.

Naqvi further alleged that some individuals were seeking political gain by exaggerating the situation. “Political leaders were almost all on board, but Aleema Khan used to veto it. She used to say no to everything. When all the facts came in front of them, they were present, yet the problem is that they want to cash this thing,” he said.

Reiterating his criticism of the politicisation of the matter, the interior minister maintained that Imran’s medical care was being handled in accordance with legal obligations and standard procedures.

Questioned about any talks for a deal similar to the National Reconciliation Ordinance, Naqvi distanced himself from the issue and said he was not involved in the subject.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar also rubbished speculation of an alleged “deal”. “There is no deal or dheel (relaxation). Matters are in courts and it is a court conviction and appeals go in courts so to give the impression that there is any matter of a deal; I don’t see it,” he said while talking to the media in London.

Separately, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said on X that Imran would receive medical treatment in phases in the coming weeks.

“His treatment will continue under the supervision of the best hospital and most experienced doctors in Rawalpindi/Islamabad, and his family has been taken into confidence at every stage,” he added.

Reiterating the government’s position, he said, “No negligence will be tolerated. For us, all prisoners are equal, and their health is the responsibility of the state.”

He also urged restraint, saying, “This sensitive matter should not be politicised, nor should baseless ambiguity be spread.”

The developments come amid growing concerns over Imran’s deteriorating eyesight in custody, with the Supreme Court noting that the PTI founder expressed dissatisfaction with the available medical facilities and specifically sought access to specialist eye doctors.

The Supreme Court had ordered the formation of a medical team to examine Imran’s eye and directed that telephonic contact with his children be completed before February 16.

Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan assured it that the government would provide access to ophthalmologists and facilitate phone calls with his sons.

Meanwhile, reports from Barrister Salman Safdar, acting as amicus curiae, detailed that Imran had suffered a sudden and complete loss of vision in his right eye and had been left with only 15% vision despite prior treatment.

The opposition sit-in at Parliament House also entered its fifth day today, with party leaders and family members of Imran demanding access amid growing concerns over his health.

Opposition coalition spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain Ahmed Yousafzai said the protest, which began on Friday, aimed to allow at least one family member or party representative to meet Khan and end rumours about his condition.

On Sunday, a federal government-constituted medical board reported improvement in Imran’s right eye vision after examining him at Adiala jail. According to the board’s report, his unaided right eye vision was recorded at 6/24 (partial) and improved to 6/9 (partial) with glasses, while his left eye measured 6/9 unaided and 6/6 with glasses.

Imran’s sons have cast doubt on his medical report and say they fear for their father’s deteriorating health in jail while seeking permission to visit the former prime minister and urging authorities to grant access after more than two years apart.

The report noted mild vitreous and moderate retinal hemorrhage in the right eye, with macular swelling subsiding and thickness reduced from 550 to 350 microns. The board recommended further diagnostic tests after completion of anti-VEGF therapy but did not advise transferring him to a hospital. Opposition leaders and his personal physicians were briefed on the findings, while PTI leaders and lawyers continued to question the transparency of the treatment and demanded access for independent medical evaluation.

Aleema reiterated that the family rejected the medical report submitted by jail-appointed doctors and insisted that he be examined at Shifa International Hospital under the supervision of his personal physician, adding that they would hold a press conference after the meeting.

Security situation in K-P and Balochistan

Naqvi also highlighted the worsening security situation in the country, citing recent terrorist attacks in Bajaur and Shangla.

“The fire of terrorism is increasing in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Every day there is an incident. The K-P government has to focus a lot on this, and they are doing it. I will not say that the K-P police are not fighting; they are fighting well. But until the political leadership is on board, no fight can be won. All these things are damaging it,” he said.

He also raised concerns about unrest in Balochistan, warning that those attempting to derail governance or incite chaos, particularly via digital platforms, were acting against the public interest. “This is not a normal thing happening in K-P and in the rest of Balochistan. If someone is smart and can see the situation clearly, they should come up with a logical solution,” he said.

The interior minister blamed India for acting as a proxy behind recent terrorist attacks, saying the strategy involved “pretending to be victims while simultaneously carrying out these attacks.” He added that Pakistani authorities were now working on international platforms to expose and counter this tactic.

Naqvi urged political and party workers to prioritise sensible action and avoid unnecessary tensions. “Sensible people are present everywhere, but the problem is that they are not heard. The public and those people have to decide whether they will go with the sensible people or the rest of the people,” he said.

PTI slams Naqvi presser

The PTI strongly criticised the interior minister for his press conference, particularly remarks about Imran and straghtening him out if Naqvi wanted to.

“Given credible reports of vision loss, this statement is deeply alarming. A senior official openly implying deliberate worsening of custody conditions raises serious concerns about hidden mistreatment.

“Public threats on national TV make it legitimate to question humane treatment in prolonged solitary confinement without independent medical oversight, family contact or transparency.”

In a longer statement, it said it rejected the press conference in which “facts were distorted and misrepresented”.

It alleged that the government was “fabricating a false and misleading narrative to cover up” Imran’s deteriorating health and the “inhumane treatment” being meted out to him in jail.

“Therefore, it is essential that the true facts be placed before the nation. In his press conference, the interior minister attempted to create the impression that decisions regarding the party’s and Imran Khan’s health were being made by a single individual, and that PTI had politicised this sensitive matter.

“We want to clarify that the lack of trust in government doctors during medical examinations and the condition of the presence of Imran Khan’s personal physician were a joint decision made through mutual consultation by Imran Khan’s family, the leadership … senior leadership had unanimously agreed that the leadership would not participate in it, because the prerogative to make decisions on Imran Khan’s health matters rests solely and exclusively with his family, and until Imran Khan’s personal physician is present, inviting the political leadership to participate in any examination by a ‘government doctor’ or government board is nothing more than a political farce.”