• Khawaja Asif claims Imran in good health, doesn’t need hospitalisation
• Opposition says ex-PM should have remained admitted for treatment
• Barrister Gohar says PTI stood with state on major national issues

ISLAMABAD: As the issue of incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan’s medical treatment dominated proceedings of the National Assembly on Friday, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq urged the government and opposition to begin talks over the appointment of the chief election commissioner, stressing that such engagement could pave the way for political stability and harmony.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif maintained that the PTI founder was in good health and did not require hospital admission. However, PTI lawmakers accused the government of failing to honour the spirit of the Supreme Court’s directions regarding his treatment.

“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has recently invited the opposition for dialogue and it was welcomed by the opposition. So I think the time has come when both sides should sit together on the issue of appointment of the chief election commissioner as a first step towards the dialogue process,” the speaker said while presiding over the session.

Under the Constitution, consultation between the prime minister and leader of the opposition in the National Assembly is required for the appointment of the chief election commissioner.

Mr Sadiq said he had always tried to facilitate opposition members and had at times gone out of his way to accommodate them.

Responding to a point raised by PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif urged the party not to politicise Imran Khan’s health.

He said Mr Khan’s sister had recently met him in jail and could testify to his condition, while his personal physician had also been given access to information regarding his health.

Mr Asif said the former prime minister had some minor blood pressure and other age-related issues but there was no indication of a serious health threat.

He said Mr Khan had been examined by doctors and was recovering, adding that medical reports would also become public.

The minister said health issues should not be used as a political tool, recalling that political leaders across parties had faced imprisonment and medical problems in the past.

Referring to his own incarceration, Mr Asif said that when he required surgery, he was taken to a government hospital and had not demanded treatment at a private facility.

He also recalled how political opponents had mocked genuine illnesses of political leaders, including former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, and urged PTI not to adopt selective standards.

Mr Asif prayed for Mr Khan’s continued health and long life, stressing that there was currently no serious concern about his condition.

Earlier, Barrister Gohar said PTI had directed its workers, supporters and leaders not to go to Shifa International Hospital or create any situation that could affect Mr Khan’s treatment or cause inconvenience to other patients.

He said the party’s political and core committees had instructed workers to respect the Supreme Court’s order and maintain a peaceful environment around the hospital.

Barrister Gohar said PTI had stood with the state on major national issues, including developments involving Israel, Iran and tensions with India. He urged the government to reciprocate by addressing the matter through legal, parliamentary and democratic means.

He also appreciated PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari for supporting the position that Mr Khan should receive necessary medical treatment.

Leader of the Opposition Mehmood Khan Achakzai and Barrister Gohar criticised the government for sending Mr Khan back to Adiala jail instead of keeping him at the hospital.

“We had already directed PTI workers not to go towards the hospital because the opposition did not want to create any problem or

hurdle in Imran Khan’s treatment. But when Mr Khan was taken back to Adiala jail, the party and its workers were disappointed,” Mr Achakzai said.

He alleged that whenever prospects for political stability improved, someone sabotaged the situation.

“When the whole of Pakistan was happy that Imran Khan was being shifted to a private hospital, and PTI had directed its workers not to go to the hospital, his sisters were made captives in the hospital,” he alleged.

PTI protests return to jail

Barrister Gohar said Mr Khan had a right to be admitted for treatment and described the decision to return him to jail as deeply disappointing for party workers.

He said PTI had supported the government during difficult moments, including tensions with India and the US-Iran conflict, but alleged that the government had failed to reciprocate.

He added that Mr Khan would not seek to remain in hospital once he was declared fully fit.

PTI MNA Shahid Khattak warned that the government would have to face the music for its alleged defiance of the Supreme Court’s order.

Published in Dawn, August 22nd, 2026