ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister and founder of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan on Monday filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court, seeking permission for regular medical examination by his personal physicians.

In his petition, Mr Khan expressed concern over his health, particularly given his age, and alleged that jail authorities are denying him access to his trusted medical team.

The 72-year-old former prime minister said that he required specialised care due to his age and previous health conditions.

His legal team highlighted the importance of continuity in his treatment, noting that his personal doctors — Dr Asim Yusuf, Dr Faisal Sultan and Dr Samina Niazi — are well-acquainted with his medical history.

The petition mentions an incident from October 15, 2014, when Dr Asim was similarly denied access, further reinforcing the request for regular check-ups.

In the petition Superintendent of Adiala Jail has been made a respondent to the case, with the petitioner’s lawyers saying that the denial of medical access violates his basic rights.

The petition requested the court to issue a directive allowing his personal doctors, including an ENT specialist, to conduct an examination as per a fortnightly schedule.

Meanwhile, the Special Judge Central, Shahrukh Arjumand, adjourned the hearing of the Tosha Khana case involving Mr Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, without any progress in the proceedings.

The judge directed prison authorities to submit a reply regarding a petition filed by Bushra Bibi’s daughters, who have not been allowed to visit their mother for the past three weeks.

During the hearing, PTI’s legal counsel Barrister Salman Safdar appeared before the court.

In their petition, the lawyer argued that Bushra Bibi’s daughters have been unjustly denied rights to visit their mother.

He emphasised that, under the law, prisoners are entitled to weekly visits from their family members, and the government’s denial of this right violates fundamental human rights.

The petition raised concern about Bushra Bibi’s health and security, noting that the prolonged lack of access to her family adds to the emotional and physical strain. The lawyer requested the court to arrange the visit as soon as possible to address these concerns.

Published in Dawn, October 22th, 2024