Federal Gov’t’s Imran Khan Health Claims Face Scrutiny in Punjab

PESHAWAR: Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Information Shafi Jan said on Thursday that provincial authorities and the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) had consistently expressed serious concerns about the health of Imran Khan, jailed PTI founder and former prime minister. However, the federal government continued issuing false statements.

In a statement issued here, Mr Jan alleged that the federal government secretly transferred Mr Imran from Adiala Jail to Islamabad’s Pims Hospital. He claimed this development was actually an indictment against the federal government itself, revealing its lies.

Despite serious health concerns about his leader in prison, the family and lawyers were kept in the dark, a violation of fundamental human rights, he said. “We condemn this act by the federal and Punjab governments,” Mr Jan added.

Mr Jan stated that if the federal government did not immediately allow access to Imran’s personal physician, PTI would take strong action. He also criticized the federal government for trampling the Constitution and ignoring clear court orders regarding meetings with the jailed PTI founder.

The CM’s special assistant said that Chief Minister Sohail Afridi was not allowed to visit Adiala Jail on Thursday to meet Imran. Illegal restrictions were placed on meetings, violating court orders and democratic values, he argued.

He further criticized the Punjab government for the health sector’s collapse in the province, which stood as a charge sheet against them. “The corrupt clique remains fearful of Mr Imran’s public popularity,” Shafi Jan stated. He emphasized that Imran’s politics revolved around public welfare, strengthening democracy and economic sovereignty, while the current federal government was focused on political revenge.

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2026