look news india
An atmosphere of great commotion and tension was seen in the capital Islamabad and Rawalpindi from late night till morning regarding former Prime Minister of Pakistan and founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan. In compliance with the strict directions of the Supreme Court, 73-year-old Imran Khan was shifted from Rawalpindi’s high-security Adiala Jail to Islamabad’s private hospital ‘Shifa International Hospital’ for medical checkup. After a detailed health and eye examination by a special medical board of doctors at the hospital, he was sent back to Adiala jail in the early hours. In view of the possibility of possible protests and uproar during this entire incident, the entire Islamabad was converted into a police cantonment and a high alert was issued.
Supreme Court’s strict order and late night hospital shifting
A three-member bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan (headed by Justice Shahid Waheed) on Tuesday gave clear instructions to the federal government and the jail administration that the former Prime Minister, who has been in jail for three years, should be admitted for medical examination in a state-of-the-art private hospital within 48 hours.
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Petition regarding eye and health problems: PTI leaders and Imran Khan’s lawyers had filed a petition alleging that due to lack of basic medical facilities and mental stress in the jail, Imran Khan’s serious problem of blockage in the right eye vein (CRVO) and high blood pressure was increasing.
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Government review petition rejected: The Shehbaz Sharif government had tried to file a review petition against this order of the Supreme Court, but the court’s registrar office returned it due to technical flaws. After this, the government had to follow the court order under immense pressure.
More than 800 security personnel deployed: Cantonment became Shifa Hospital
Imran Khan’s hospital shifting was kept completely confidential and sensitive. When he was brought to the hospital in a heavy police convoy and bulletproof vehicles in the early hours of Friday, security in the entire area was increased to an unprecedented level:
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High alert in Islamabad: Over 800 personnel of Islamabad Police, paramilitary forces (Pakistan Rangers) and Rapid Action Force were deployed in Shifa International Hospital and its surrounding Sector H-8 area.
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Roads sealed and media banned: All major roads leading to the hospital (Pitras Bukhari Road etc.) were barricaded and no outsiders or media personnel were allowed to enter.
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IGP’s visit: Islamabad Inspector General of Police (IGP) Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi himself reached the hospital and reviewed the security arrangements and cordon.
Medical board investigation and return to jail
A team of doctors in the special ward of the hospital conducted a detailed examination of Imran Khan’s cardiac function, blood pressure, ECG and eye condition. As per the directions of the Supreme Court, a special panel was present to monitor the medical assessment. After the investigation process was completed and the report was compiled, on the advice of doctors and as per security protocol, he was returned to the security cell of Adiala Jail without any delay.
PTI’s stance and political heat in Pakistan
Political excitement is at its peak in Pakistan regarding the health of Imran Khan. While PTI leaders and former President Dr Arif Alvi expressed relief at being taken to the hospital following the court order, the party had appealed to its workers not to gather unnecessary crowd outside the hospital and maintain peace. PTI alleges that Imran Khan is being mentally harassed in the jail by not providing him the necessary social contact, TV or newspapers, while the jail administration has claimed in the court that his health is being monitored 24 hours a day and his eyesight has now improved to a great extent.