Fit and Healthy’: Barrister Gohar Releases Imran Khan’s PIMS Medical Report

Barrister Gohar, who is the legal advisor of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, on Monday released a medical report from Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), which describes the former prime minister as “fit and healthy.”.

This is coming barely a day after the PTI complained that Imran Khan was not being allowed to see his lawyers, family members, and health professionals since October 3. Gohar had earlier revealed that nobody was allowed to meet Khan for nearly two weeks, creating fear for his health.

However, Barrister Gohar confirmed that medical experts, including an ENT specialist, have visited him in Adiala Jail and examined Imran Khan properly. He further said that Khan was fit and had exercised for an hour when the visit took place.

Medical Report Findings

The PIMS medical report asserted Imran Khan was “active” during the checkup and had normal vital signs, such as blood pressure and pulse. The report did say that for the past five days, he had been having very mild dyspepsia (indigestion) for which, by the way, he was already under treatment. It also added that he had tinnitus (ringing in the ears), for which he had been receiving medical attention for the last few months.

However, these minor health issues notwithstanding, the report concluded that Khan was fit and healthy and didn’t require any further treatment at that point in time. This release of this report was necessary to soothe the sentiments of the supporters of PTI, who had all been worried for the well-being of their leader, too, because of his imprisonment.
Immediately after the medical report, Barrister Gohar thanked all PTI workers and supporters for their concern and prayers. “God bless you all,” he said, acknowledging general anxiety over the health of Khan.

PTI Cancels Scheduled Protest

PTI had already rescheduled a sit-in it had planned to stage in Islamabad the day before the medical report’s release after the government assured it of Imran Khan’s health. The protest had been scheduled at a time when international dignitaries have been coming to the capital for the SCO summit, with the city place under tight security.

While adamant to deal with the PTI protesters “with an iron hand,” it finally had to yield to some of the demands of PTI. These included permission for a medical checkup on Imran Khan and allowing leaders of the party to meet with him. Ending the protest halted the impending head-on collision between PTI activists and security forces.

Jemima Goldsmith Calls for the Release of Imran Khan

Finally, there was the third development of Imran Khan’s wife Jemima Goldsmith calling for his release as it appears there were concerns over his treatment in custody. Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Jemima said that Imran had been mistreated; that he was placed under solitary confinement; and that he has not seen sunlight or heard a human voice outside of the prison for a long time. She further expressed concern over court orders having been flouted over visits from his family and lawyers.

Jemima said that since September 10, Imran Khan has not been able to make his weekly calls to his sons, Sulaiman and Kasim Khan, based in London. She termed the situation profoundly worrying; she perceived the whole matter as “completely isolating” and potentially endangering the man. She also said that Imran’s sisters, Uzma and Aleema Khan, were taken into custody, and his nephew detained in a broader round up of PTI members.

The plea by Jemima to the authorities in Pakistan to free Imran Khan along with his sisters and nephew and revert to contacting him framed the action taken against Khan and his family as one of a much wider attempt to muzzle political opposition in Pakistan.

Nonetheless, a breakthrough was achieved yesterday when the PIMS medical report was released, which lends some assurance to his supporters regarding his health and treatment in prison. The bigger battle, however-the bigger political and legal battle-concerning his detention is still unresolved.