ISLAMABAD: The government hinted on Thursday that PTI founder Imran Khan could be sent abroad for medical treatment, if required, and maintained that it had approached the Supreme Court to seek clarification on whether the relief granted to the former premier applied exclusively to him, or would also extend to other prisoners.
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry made these remarks during a heated Senate session, after Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas raised concerns over inadequate medical facilities for Mr Khan and other incarcerated PTI leaders, including Dr Yasmin Rashid and Ejaz Chaudhry, and sought similar relief for all political prisoners.
Mr Chaudhry, who had assured the house a couple of days earlier that the SC judgement would be implemented “in letter and spirit”, said on Thursday that under the law, convicted prisoners requiring medical treatment were normally shifted to government hospitals.
“It is nice to know that the government has acquired a hospital in the United Kingdom,” PTI Senator Mohsin Aziz quipped, alluding to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s treatment in the UK after his conviction.
Responding, Mr Chaudhry said the government would ensure treatment for Mr Khan at a government hospital or another facility, if required.
“If the need arises to send him abroad, we will do that as well,” he said. “We have only approached the Supreme Court for guidance to know whether this facility is for one person or other prisoners too.”
He reiterated that the government would implement the court’s decision “in letter and spirit”.
Separately, said in a statement on X, the parliamentary affairs minister said the government’s decision to approach the Supreme Court over its Aug 18 ruling was “not to disrespect the decision or obstruct its implementation”, but solely to seek legal clarity over its scope.
He said the government wanted to determine whether the order was confined to a particular prisoner or established a principle applicable to other inmates as well.
“Under prevailing laws, all convicted individuals in prisons are provided with medical facilities, and when necessary, they are also given medical treatment in government hospitals,” he said.
Mr Chaudhry said that if appropriate treatment was unavailable to the PTI founder at a government hospital, the authorities could “consider all legal options for better treatment”, including Shifa International Hospital or, if necessary, treatment abroad.
‘Won’t topple your govt’
Raising a point of order, Senator Abbas said it was the government’s responsibility to provide adequate healthcare to prisoners.
The opposition leader recalled that when Nawaz Sharif faced health problems, medical facilities had been provided while Mr Chaudhry was serving as health minister.
He urged the government to shift Dr Yasmin Rashid to a hospital or place her under house arrest.
“Politicians and parliamentarians have been branded terrorists,” he said, adding that “politics should not be made a crime”.
Mr Abbas said the Supreme Court’s ruling concerning Mr Khan had provided an opportunity to ease political tensions and called for its implementation.
“We will not topple your government. Have no fear. God will do what is best,” he said while urging the government to consider Dr Rashid’s case on humanitarian grounds.
The minister said the federal government would take up Dr Rashid’s health condition with the Punjab government and subsequently brief the leader of the opposition.
Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2026
