Govt accuses PTI of violating SC order

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Saturday accused the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) of politicising the health of its founding chairman, Imran Khan, saying the government had fully implemented the Supreme Court's order regarding his medical examination and alleging that the party had committed contempt of court through its statements and actions. Speaking at a news briefing on the former prime minister's transfer to a hospital, Tarar said the administration had complied with the court's directions, while accusing the PTI of spreading "false propaganda" over the matter. He said the government's position on politicising health issues had remained unchanged. "When we were in the opposition, our position was that health should not be politicised. There has been no change in our position regarding the involvement of politics in health matters," he said. Tarar said that during his tenure as prime minister, Imran had made "taunting and derogatory" remarks about the health of others. "We have never adopted an insulting attitude towards anyone's health," he added. Recounting the events following the court order, Tarar said Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar had explained the government's position in detail. "The viewpoint was that whatever will happen, it will be according to the law," he said. The minister said the government had raised questions in its review petition about whether the same facilities ordered for Imran were available to all prisoners. Nevertheless, he said, the former premier's medical examination had been conducted in accordance with the Supreme Court's directions. The minister said the government's review petition had also questioned whether the law and Constitution permitted Imran to be examined at a private hospital without a recommendation from a medical board. According to Tarar, the government had initially intended for Imran to be examined at Shifa International Hospital, but PTI supporters created a situation outside the facility. "I informed through tweets that PTI people had created a risk and gathered there. That is why he was taken to Pims," he said. He maintained that the court's directions were nevertheless followed in full. "When the examination was conducted at Pims in accordance with the court's order, doctors from Shifa were present there. Every clause of the court's order was implemented," he said. The minister said the examination was conducted transparently and in the presence of Imran's sister, with doctors from Shifa also present. "The question is whether the order was implemented. The answer is yes. Was the check-up conducted? Yes. Was it done transparently? Yes. Was his sister present? Yes. Were doctors from Shifa present? Yes. All the obligations were fulfilled," he said. He said the government had nevertheless complied with the court order and arranged the examination. Tarar said the PTI could choose to politicise the issue, but warned the party against doing so. "If you want to politicise your founding chairman's health, then carry on. You blocked his route, created a law-and-order situation and are still creating ambiguity," he said. He said the Pims press release had stated that Imran's pulse, blood pressure and other parameters were normal, while his eyesight was also fine. According to the preliminary report, he was in good health, he added. "If the nature and severity of the illness have not emerged, my question is: what illness are you politicising?" he said. Tarar stressed that medical issues should be left to doctors. "Health matters will be examined by doctors, who can give and are giving the best opinion. The government has not stopped his treatment for even a single day. Treatment has continued, is continuing and will continue whenever needed," he said. He urged the PTI not to turn the matter into a political issue, saying it concerned both legal and medical questions. "This is a legal and health matter. Let it remain within that framework," he said while accusing the PTI of committing contempt of court by politicising the issue. "You have committed contempt of court by politicising this matter. Refrain from doing so; it is in your own interest," he said. Tarar said the government had maintained transparency in communicating developments to the media and the public. He said that after Imran's examination at Pims, he had himself posted an update on X. He criticised the PTI's subsequent statements and actions, saying the party was "miles away from the light of knowledge" and would not have filed a contempt petition had it been aware of the facts.