Rawalpindi court turns down Imran Khan’s plea for access to personal physicians

RAWALPINDI: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Rawalpindi on Saturday rejected a request to allow Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan access to his personal doctors for a medical examination in prison

The hearing on May 9 General Headquarters (GHQ) attack case was conducted by ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah, with Imran’s lawyer Faisal Malik representing the former prime minister in court. Special Prosecutor Zaheer Shah appeared on behalf of the prosecution and opposed the request

Zaheer told the court that Imran, who is currently on bail in the GHQ attack case, is an under-trial prisoner and not a convicted inmate. He added that the criminal court does not have the authority to regulate the custody of a suspect on bail. The prosecutor also noted that under Pakistan Prison Rules, personal doctors are not designated for any prisoner and that private medical care is not provided under the existing legal framework.

After hearing arguments from both sides, the court dismissed the petition seeking access to Imran’s personal physicians.

It may be noted that Imran recently underwent an eye procedure at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) in Islamabad, where doctors confirmed that pressure in blood vessels had affected his vision. The PTI has accused the government of withholding details of his medical condition for several days

PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Khan, citing messages from the incarcerated former first lady Bushra Bibi, who is also in prison, said the party chief’s health had improved following the procedure. According to the ex-first lady, doctors had warned of a risk of losing eyesight without the recommended intervention

Meanwhile, National Assembly Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai last week sought Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s intervention to ensure that Imran is examined by his trusted medical team