Rift emerges between Imran Khan's family and PTI leadership over health updates

ISLAMABAD: Differences have reportedly surfaced between the family of Imran Khan and the leadership of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) over the handling of information related to the jailed former premier’s health.

According to sources, Imran’s elder sister Aleema Khan has directed that no party leader should hold meetings or issue statements regarding his medical condition. She is said to have maintained that matters concerning his health fall within the family’s domain, not the party’s, and therefore barred party leaders from meeting him in jail or hospital over medical issues.

Sources claimed Aleema took exception to meetings held by PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan with doctors and questioned the authority under which he sought medical briefings. She reportedly instructed him not to engage in any further meetings related to Imran’s treatment at Adiala Jail or the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).

It was further claimed that the family had decided that any policy statement regarding Imran’s health would be issued solely by them and that the party would not be authorised to release updates.

Speaking to the media at the Dahgal checkpoint near Adiala Jail after meeting Bushra Bibi, Aleema said Imran had conveyed that he had lost his eyesight and demanded access for his personal doctors.

She also criticised the Islamabad High Court over delays in fixing his cases for hearing and expressed dissatisfaction with the party leadership’s handling of his medical treatment. Referring to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s earlier statement on Imran’s health, she questioned why details of the treatment were not being confirmed by party leaders.

Aleema alleged that doctors recommended by the family — including Dr Asim, Dr Uzma Khan and Dr Barki — for examination at Shifa International Hospital were either rejected or not responded to. She said the family later learned that treatment had been conducted at PIMS without their knowledge.

“We were demanding treatment at Shifa International Hospital. Instead, we were sent to jail when we raised the issue,” she said, adding that the family would now raise concerns publicly rather than in closed-door meetings.

She also questioned why senior PTI lawyers and office-bearers, including Hamid Khan, Ali Zafar, Latif Khosa and Barrister Gohar, were not actively pursuing the founder’s cases. “Will we get information from the minister or from our own party?” she asked, expressing frustration over what she described as a lack of urgency within the party.

Separately, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said court orders regarding meetings with Imran were not being implemented. He claimed that although the Islamabad High Court had directed two weekly meetings — one for lawyers and one for family members — these were not being arranged.

Raja alleged that contempt petitions filed over non-compliance were not being heard and said the party would approach the Supreme Court of Pakistan if relief was not granted. He also questioned how replies could be filed in pending cases without access to the PTI founder.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said he had attempted to address IHC Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar in open court but was not heard. Meanwhile, Barrister Salman Safdar said bail matters would be taken directly to the Supreme Court if not fixed for hearing.

Later, the IHC administration fixed an early hearing plea for Thursday.

Speaking separately, Barrister Gohar acknowledged a communication gap within the party leadership but maintained that all leaders were making sincere and coordinated efforts to secure Imran’s release. He said PTI had decided to pursue its cases before the Supreme Court and reaffirmed the party’s commitment to legal avenues.

Gohar also expressed support for journalists, congratulating newly elected office-bearers of the Islamabad High Court Journalists Association and reiterating PTI’s opposition to provisions of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) that it says restrict freedom of expression.