The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party is demanding an independent cardiac assessment for former Prime Minister Imran Khan after a recommended scan was not performed.
The dispute highlights growing tensions between the political party and state medical authorities over the quality of care provided to the former leader during his detention.
Khan visited the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad during July 2026 [2]. This visit occurred around the third anniversary of his jail sentence [1]. While the former prime minister was at the facility, medical staff did not carry out a recommended cardiac scan.
Officials at PIMS said the necessary cardiac scan equipment was unavailable at the time of the visit. The PTI party disputed this explanation, stating that the hospital's reasoning is insufficient. The party is now calling for an independent evaluation of Khan's heart condition to ensure his health is not at risk.
Concerns regarding Khan's medical state have extended to his family. Two of his sons voiced fears over his health during the anniversary of his imprisonment [3]. These family members have urged for urgent medical care, and global intervention, to ensure the former prime minister receives proper treatment [2].
The controversy is further complicated by the location of the treatment. Khan was seen at PIMS instead of Shifa International Hospital, a detail that has contributed to the party's skepticism regarding the medical protocols being followed. PTI continues to push for a transparent medical review conducted by third-party specialists to resolve the conflict with PIMS officials.
“PTI disputes the hospital's claim that the necessary equipment was unavailable.”
The clash over medical care reflects the broader political struggle in Pakistan, where the health of a detained leader becomes a focal point for legal and humanitarian advocacy. By demanding an independent assessment, PTI seeks to bypass state-controlled medical institutions and create a documented health record that could potentially be used to argue for medical parole or international intervention.
