KP CM Sohail Afridi: Health Rights Unquestionable under Constitution

PESHAWAR – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi addressed a gathering of journalists at the Peshawar Press Club, expressing his stance on the political implications surrounding former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s health.

Afridi began by asserting that Khan’s right to have access to a personal physician is constitutionally protected and underscored by law in Pakistan. He highlighted Khan’s status as an elected leader whose fundamental rights are paramount under the country’s legal framework.

Speaking at the press club, Afridi stressed the need for media silence regarding recent controversial matters within the Punjab government. Specifically, he criticized the purchase of a multi-billion-dollar plane funded with public funds, accusing it of being used to benefit wealthy individuals rather than the nation’s populace.

Afridi acknowledged and commended his constituents’ enthusiasm for elections, noting that unlike in other parts of Pakistan, the Peshawar Press Club had conducted its elections promptly. He then expanded on his commitment to enhancing support for journalism by increasing the press club grant from Rs100 million to Rs150 million and allocating additional endowment funds for journalists from Rs200 million to Rs500 million.

Afridi emphasized that the federal government owed a great deal to the media. In parallel, he condemned the treatment of prisoners as outlined in Pakistan’s fundamental rights legislation, contrasting this with actions taken by some political leaders who have ignored these same legal provisions for their own benefit.

He recounted how Imran Khan had permitted a fraudulent platelet transfusion recipient to travel abroad for medical care, only to return after over three years. This case served as an illustration of the chief minister’s firm belief that such fundamental rights should be respected and upheld by all institutions of democracy.

Afridi declared his commitment to addressing Imran Khan’s health concerns in a peaceful manner. He asserted repeatedly that the former leader should have unrestricted access to his personal physician, emphasizing the constitutional immunity that shields this right within Pakistan’s legal framework.