Islamabad (HRNW): The Supreme Court of Pakistan has directed authorities to provide Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan access to specialist eye doctors and facilitate telephone contact with his children.
A two-member bench comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi and Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan heard the case, during which a report regarding Imran Khan’s prison conditions and medical facilities was presented before the court. The report stated that Imran Khan had expressed dissatisfaction with the medical care provided in jail and requested access to specialist ophthalmologists.
During the hearing, Attorney General Anwar Mansoor informed the court that the government was prepared to grant access to eye specialists. The Chief Justice remarked that the government appeared to be in a positive frame of mind and also directed that Imran Khan be allowed telephone contact with his children. He emphasized that all prisoners, including Imran Khan, must receive equal medical facilities without discrimination.
The Chief Justice further noted that there was no contradiction between the reports submitted by the friend of the court and the jail superintendent. A medical team will be formed to examine Imran Khan’s eye condition, and the court instructed that necessary measures be completed before February 16, stressing that health concerns are of utmost importance.
The Attorney General assured the bench that providing healthcare is the state’s responsibility and that immediate steps would be taken if any prisoner expressed dissatisfaction. The court also underscored the importance of facilitating phone calls with his children, Qasim and Suleman, and formally ordered that the facility be provided.
