TTAP, Imran’s sisters reject Mohsin Naqvi’s medical claims, accuse govt of 'distorting facts'

ISLAMABAD: The opposition alliance Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) and sisters of incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan on Tuesday strongly rejected Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s account of the former premier’s recent medical examination, accusing the government of attempting to “distort” facts and conceal the seriousness of his condition.

The reaction followed Naqvi’s press conference in Lahore, where he maintained that the government had no intention of politicising Imran’s health and had ensured transparent medical procedures. He cited a recent report prepared by a team of doctors who examined the PTI founder at Adiala Jail on Sunday, asserting that the findings were clear and that appropriate treatment was being provided.

Naqvi claimed that PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan had been invited to witness the medical examination but declined after party consultations. According to the minister, opposition leaders—including Raja Nasir Abbas and Mahmood Khan Achakzai—were later invited to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), where they were briefed by the examining doctors. He said PTI-nominated physicians were also consulted by phone and had termed the treatment appropriate.

The interior minister alleged that political considerations, particularly from Imran’s sister Aleema Khan, had delayed the examination for three days. He claimed that most political leaders were initially “on board," but that certain family members insisted on hospital admission for a week despite no such recommendation from doctors.

Naqvi further stated that the government was prepared to hospitalise Imran for even two weeks if doctors advised it but insisted that admission could not be ordered solely on political demand. He also said that Imran had been taken to hospital for an eye injection as a precautionary measure, even though doctors believed it could have been administered in jail.

Addressing criticism over facilities provided to the former premier, Naqvi remarked that all prisoners were entitled to treatment under the Constitution and law and suggested journalists should visit prisons to assess available facilities. He added that if political vendetta had been intended, the government could have restricted Imran’s facilities to the minimum allowed under jail rules.

In response, TTAP termed Naqvi’s press conference “blatantly misleading and contrary to facts,” accusing the government of creating a “fabricated narrative” to obscure what it described as deteriorating health conditions and prolonged solitary confinement. The alliance said distrust of government doctors and the demand for the presence of Imran’s personal physicians were collective decisions taken by his family, PTI leadership and the opposition bloc.

The alliance reiterated that only Imran’s family had the authority to decide matters relating to his health and maintained that inviting political leaders to witness the examination was merely a “facade.” It further alleged that extended solitary confinement amounted to torture under international human rights standards and claimed that family meetings had remained suspended for over two months.

Separately, Imran’s sisters—Aleema Khanum, Uzma Khanum and Noreen Niazi—disputed Naqvi’s version during a press conference in Islamabad. Aleema said a message conveyed by relatives who met Imran at Adiala Jail indicated that he remained concerned about his eyesight and had requested that his medical reports and blood test results be shared with his personal physicians, including Dr Faisal Sultan and Dr Aasim Yusuf.

According to Aleema, Imran stated that his vision problems began around three months ago and that despite informing jail authorities, he did not receive timely medical attention for weeks. She alleged criminal negligence on the part of the former jail superintendent and claimed that initial assurances to shift him to Shifa International Hospital were later altered to a different facility.

She further alleged that names of recommended doctors were changed at the government’s request and that requests to allow certain physicians access were declined. Aleema challenged the government to shift Imran to Shifa International Hospital if there was no fear regarding his political influence.

Meanwhile, PTI formally objected to Naqvi’s remarks suggesting that if the government intended harm, it could have restricted Imran’s facilities further. The party described the statement as “deeply alarming” given reports of deteriorating vision and prolonged solitary confinement, arguing that such remarks raised legitimate concerns about custodial transparency and humane treatment.

The controversy comes amid ongoing protests by opposition lawmakers demanding improved medical access and transparency regarding the former prime minister’s health, with political tensions escalating over what both sides describe as attempts to politicise the issue.