Govt Ensured Best Medical Care for PTI Founder, Says Naqvi
News Desk
Lahore: Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Tuesday said the government had ensured the best possible medical treatment for the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), regretting that his health was being used for “cheap politics.”
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Naqvi said it was the state’s responsibility to provide medical facilities to every prisoner and maintained that the PTI founder was receiving comprehensive care from leading specialists. He said propaganda regarding the former premier’s eyesight was baseless and should not be politicised.
The minister stated that the government had established contact with PTI leaders and opposition members even before a formal request was made by senior politician Mahmood Khan Achakzai. He added that National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq had also facilitated communication between the two sides.
Naqvi said top doctors from both public and private hospitals were selected for the PTI founder’s treatment. According to him, PTI leaders had expressed satisfaction over the medical arrangements. He noted that while an eye injection could have been administered in jail, the government decided to shift him to a hospital to ensure optimal care.
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He further said PTI leaders were invited to nominate a specialist of their choice and attend the medical examination, but they did not avail the opportunity. A demand to hospitalise the PTI founder for a week, he alleged, was politically motivated, adding that the blame game over health issues should cease.
Emphasising dialogue as the only viable solution to political disputes, Naqvi said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had consistently advocated reconciliation and negotiations. He reiterated the government’s willingness to cooperate fully if any medical tests remained pending.
The interior minister also criticised road blockades, saying they caused hardship for the public despite the government’s cooperative approach. He warned that no one would be allowed to vandalise property or disrupt peace in Islamabad’s Red Zone under the pretext of protest.
Referring to the law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Naqvi said directives had been issued to implement orders of the Peshawar High Court regarding reopening of roads. He said the chief secretary and inspector general had been directed to submit a compliance report by February 18.
Responding to a question, the minister acknowledged the sacrifices of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police in the fight against terrorism, stressing that success required full political support.
He added that action was underway against individuals spreading anti-state propaganda on social media.
Alleging external involvement in recent terrorist incidents, Naqvi claimed there was concrete evidence linking India to acts of terrorism in Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan. He vowed that terrorism would be eliminated from the country.
