Imran Khan Is Fit, No Threat to His Health, Says Defence Minister Khawaja Asif
ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan is in good health and there is no threat to his life, accusing the PTI leadership of spreading false information about his health for political and financial gains.
In a post on X, Khawaja Asif said Imran Khan was “absolutely fit” and argued that his sister, who is also a doctor, would not make false statements about her brother’s health for political benefit or any other reason.
He said members of the PTI parliamentary party had appeared highly emotional in the National Assembly and were raising alarm over Imran Khan’s health.
The defence minister alleged that when financial and political interests become linked with a political leader, such tactics are adopted. He claimed that rumours and misinformation about Imran Khan’s health were being used to collect billions of rupees from people in Pakistan and abroad, after which the money allegedly disappeared and party leaders publicly blamed one another.
Khawaja Asif later told the National Assembly that there was no danger to Imran Khan’s health and urged politicians not to politicise the matter.
Responding to a point of order raised by Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, he said Imran Khan’s sister had met him and could provide information about his health. He added that Imran Khan’s personal physician had informed a member of the National Assembly that the PTI founder had an eye-related issue that was gradually improving.
The minister said Imran Khan takes medication for blood pressure, which he described as a condition that can continue with age. He claimed that Imran Khan exercises for around three hours daily and takes a normal diet.
Khawaja Asif said Imran Khan had been taken to hospital on the orders of the court and that his medical reports could be examined. He reiterated that there was no reason for concern regarding his health.
The defence minister also recalled his own experience of being imprisoned, alleging that when he underwent surgery at Jinnah Hospital, a psychiatrist had been assigned to document whether the operation had actually taken place. He said the illnesses and difficulties of political opponents had previously been highlighted for political purposes.
Khawaja Asif also criticised the political treatment of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s health, saying his platelet count had been mocked in the National Assembly and public gatherings. He said Nawaz Sharif had undergone two recent surgeries in Geneva and had faced heart disease and diabetes as well as personal hardships.
He alleged that Imran Khan had himself mocked the illnesses of the Sharif brothers during his political tenure and said videos of such remarks could be shown on the screens of the National Assembly.
The defence minister urged political parties to avoid politicising health issues, saying politics was a difficult field that involved trials and challenges.
