ISLAMABAD: The federal government urged CNN to distinguish official records from “politically contested allegations” over Imran Khan’s health claims after the US broadcaster interviewed his aide Zulfi Bukhari.
CNN anchor Becky Anderson interviewed Bukhari about the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder’s health and prison conditions. She later shared responses from Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).
Bukhari accused authorities of breaching an August 18 Supreme Court order by taking Khan to PIMS instead of Shifa International Hospital. The court had ordered his transfer to Shifa for medical assessment and treatment.
However, PIMS said Khan arrived there during the night of August 20-21. Two Shifa specialists joined his eye examination, while PIMS doctors conducted other assessments.
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The hospital withheld the contents of the medical report under court directions. The federal government rejected allegations of punitive solitary confinement and inadequate medical care.
It said prison records showed about 198 meeting sessions involving more than 900 visitor entries since Khan’s imprisonment. It also said his accommodation included a seven-cell compound with sleeping, sanitation and exercise facilities.
The government further said Khan had undergone about 30 specialist medical examinations. It cited treatment for a retinal condition, including five anti-VEGF injections, imaging and follow-up assessments.
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These figures reflect the government’s account and have not been independently verified in the public medical record.
The government maintains that it complied with the Supreme Court’s directions. PTI figures dispute that position and have challenged the handling of Khan’s hospital examination.
