1 week ago
PTI Challenges Pakistan Government After Imran Khan Heart Scan Failure
Imran Khan is a jailed former prime minister of Pakistan.
His doctors recommended a special heart scan after he reported heart palpitations, headaches and changing blood pressure.
The scan was meant to check for possible heart problems.
Khan was taken to a government hospital, but the scan was not done.
Hospital officials said the necessary equipment was unavailable.
His party, PTI, said a working scanner was available and that Khan should have been taken to a private hospital.
Pakistan’s Supreme Court had ordered that he receive care at Shifa International Hospital.
PTI has accused the government of ignoring the order and has filed a legal petition.
The government says doctors examined Khan and found him fit to remain in prison, while the prime minister has ordered an inquiry.
Doctors reportedly recommended CT coronary angiography for Imran Khan after palpitations, headaches and fluctuating blood pressure.
Khan was taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences on August 20, but the scan was not performed.
Hospital officials cited unavailable equipment, while PTI said a functioning scanner was available at the facility.
PTI alleges the government bypassed a Supreme Court order directing Khan’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital.
PTI filed a contempt petition, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered an inquiry into the failed examination.
- Who
- Jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, Pakistani government officials and hospital doctors.
- What
- A recommended CT coronary angiography was not performed, prompting PTI to file a contempt petition against government officials.
- Where
- Khan was taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences and returned to Adiala Jail; the Supreme Court had directed his transfer to Shifa International Hospital.
- When
- The scan was recommended on August 1; Khan was examined on August 10 and taken to hospital on August 20.
- Why
- Hospital officials said the required equipment was unavailable, while PTI disputed that explanation and alleged that authorities failed to follow the court’s order.
PTI’s allegations
Government’s position
Why the scan was not performed
PTI’s allegations
PTI says authorities wrongly claimed the required equipment was unavailable, even though it says a functioning CT scanner was present at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences.
Government’s position
Hospital officials said the necessary facility was unavailable. The government has ordered an inquiry rather than publicly accepting PTI’s account.
Choice of hospital
PTI’s allegations
PTI says Khan should have been taken to Shifa International Hospital, as directed by the Supreme Court, and examined by independent specialists and his own doctors.
Government’s position
The government took Khan to the public Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar argued that a convicted prisoner should receive treatment in jail or at a government facility, while another minister said the government intended to comply with the court order.
Khan’s medical condition
PTI’s allegations
PTI says the missed test reflects a broader pattern of inadequate medical care in custody and has demanded that Khan’s records be shared with his family, doctors and lawyers.
Government’s position
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said doctors, including a cardiologist, ophthalmologist and physician, examined Khan and declared him fit to remain in custody.
Legal consequences
PTI’s allegations
PTI has filed a contempt petition seeking action against the prime minister, law minister, information minister and other officials.
Government’s position
The government says it intended to follow the Supreme Court’s ruling and has established an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the missed scan.
Key facts
- Patient
- Imran Khan, 73, a jailed former prime minister of Pakistan
- Recommended test
- CT coronary angiography, also called CTA
- Reported symptoms
- Heart palpitations, severe headaches, fluctuating blood pressure and restlessness
- Recommendation date
- August 1
- Hospital visit
- Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences on August 20
- Court directive
- The Supreme Court ordered Khan’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital within two days of its August 18 ruling.
- Government response
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formed an inquiry committee to establish the facts and assign responsibility.
Quotes
Sheikh Waqas Akram
Central Secretary Information of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf
“A former prime minister was taken to a government hospital in the middle of the night, assessed by doctors who recommended an essential cardiac investigation, and then returned to Adiala Jail without the test being conducted. This cannot be dismissed as an isolated administrative lapse; it reflects a deeply troubling pattern.”
indianexpress.com
“When the necessary facilities were available at Shifa International, deliberately taking Khan to a hospital unable or unwilling to perform the procedure raises a grave question: was the decision made in advance to prevent the CT Coronary Angiography from being conducted?”
NDTV
Sources
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