ISLAMABAD: Accu­s­ing Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan of ‘misusing the concession’ of bail and not cooperating in prohibited funding investigation, the Federal Investi­ga­tion Agency (FIA) cast serious doubts on the Sha­ukat Khanum Memorial Trust (SKMT) Hospital’s reports on his injuries and urged a banking court to order his medical examination from a government hospital.

“Neither he joined the investigation nor is he app­earing before the court on one pretext or the other,” stated the FIA in a fresh application submitted on Saturday before the special judge, offences in banks, where the trial of the former premier has been pending due to his prolonged absence.

While doubting the med­ical report being used by the accused to justify his absence, the FIA sta­ted: “Since long, stereotype medical certificate is being presented from the cancer hospital, although accused/petitioner alle­ges issues pertaining to orthopaedic.”

“Even otherwise, [the] said medical report is from a hospital which is owned by the accused himself, thus above reports are not credible,” the federal agency stated.

According to the application, “principles of fair play and justice require that accused is to be examined by the board of expert doctors on the subject from PIMS or Polyclinic and if there reports come qua mobility of accused, same can be entertained.”

Judge Rakhshanda Shaheen during the course of hearing on Saturday directed Mr Khan to appear in person on Feb 28 when FIA’s application seeking constitution of a medical board would be examined.

Earlier, court noted that Mr Khan was seeking exemption from personal appearance for medical reasons since Wazirabad shooting and did not appear on Nov 10, 21, 28, Dec 9, 19, Jan 10, 31, Feb 2 and on Feb 15.

The counsel for the PTI chairman submitted a copy of the stay order issued by the Islamabad High Court and informed the judge that Mr Khan obtained the protective bail from the Lahore High Court (LHC) and he was supposed to appear before an anti-terrorism court by March 3.

On the other hand, the counsel for Mr Khan also wrote a letter to the FIA for recording his statement at his residence or through video link.

Published in Dawn, February 26th, 2023