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PTI demands Imran's CT angiography be conducted at Shifa International Hospital
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has demanded that jailed former prime minister Imran Khan be moved to Shifa International Hospital for a CT coronary angiography after the test was not performed during his recent visit to PIMS. The party accuses authorities of bypassing a Supreme Court order and ignoring medical advice, while the government cites security concerns and has formed an inquiry committee.
PTI demands Imran Khan undergo CT angiography at Shifa International Hospital
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Sunday demanded that jailed former prime minister Imran Khan be immediately shifted to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad for a recommended CT coronary angiography (CTA), following reports that the cardiac test was not conducted during his recent visit to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS). PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram said the authorities had failed to provide the 73-year-old Khan with a medically recommended diagnostic test despite the availability of a functional CT scanner at PIMS.
Khan was taken to PIMS in the early hours of Friday for an eye procedure and other diagnostic examinations. Doctors recommended a CTA of the heart, but hospital officials said the required facility was unavailable. He was subsequently returned to Adiala jail without undergoing the test.
Technical Context: Scanner Available but Test Not Done
Sources explained to Dawn that PIMS' conventional angiography facility is different from CTA. While conventional angiography involves inserting a catheter into a blood vessel, CTA is performed using a CT scanner and does not require puncturing a vein. Doctors pointed out that a 128-slice CT scanner had been operational in PIMS' radiology department since March 2022 and was capable of performing CTA. A senior doctor said the patient should therefore have been referred to the radiology department for the examination.
PTI's Allegations and Demands
Akram said a government medical board had examined Khan on August 10 following complaints of heart palpitations and severe headaches. He noted that a PIMS cardiologist had recommended CT coronary angiography on August 1 due to fluctuating blood pressure, palpitations, headaches, restlessness and the potential risk of cardiac complications, given Khan's age and prolonged isolation.
"Even the government's own doctors considered this diagnostic test necessary," Akram said, questioning why it was not conducted when Khan was taken to PIMS. He alleged that the authorities had bypassed the Supreme Court's directive and instead transferred Khan to a facility where the CT angiography was not performed.
"When the necessary facilities were available at Shifa International, deliberately taking Khan to a hospital unable or unwilling to perform the procedure raises a grave question: was the decision made in advance to prevent the CT Coronary Angiography from being conducted?" Akram asked.
Calling it a recurring issue, Akram said, "This cannot be dismissed as an isolated administrative lapse; it reflects a deeply troubling pattern." He added, "Imran Khan's heart health cannot be subjected to political calculations, administrative excuses or further delay." Akram warned that the government and all relevant authorities will bear full responsibility for any further deterioration in Khan's condition.
The PTI demanded the immediate performance of the recommended CTA at Shifa International Hospital under the supervision of independent specialists and Khan's personal physicians. The party also called for the prompt disclosure of Khan's complete medical records to his family, personal medical team, and legal counsel, and demanded full implementation of the Supreme Court's order. It further called for a transparent and non-partisan inquiry into why Khan was taken to PIMS instead of Shifa International and who ordered that the recommended diagnostic procedure not be performed.
Supreme Court Order and Government Response
The Supreme Court on August 18 had directed that Khan be shifted to Shifa International Hospital within two days for medical examination and treatment. The order was issued while hearing interconnected matters concerning Khan, including his plea relating to medical treatment and access to family members and lawyers. The bench was headed by Justice Shahid Waheed and comprised Justices Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Ishtiaq Ibrahim. The court also directed that Dr Uzma Khan and Dr Faisal Sultan, Khan's personal physician, be present during the medical check-up by a medical board.
However, the government on August 20 briefly transferred Khan to PIMS and later shifted him back to Adiala Jail after his medical examination, citing security concerns. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar blamed "the security situation created by PTI workers on the way to and outside Al Shifa Hospital" for the diversion. He said that in light of the Supreme Court's order, the prisoner was taken to the hospital under appropriate security arrangements during the night between August 20 and 21, and a team of qualified doctors conducted a detailed examination and declared him medically fit.
The PIMS administration said that two specialists from Shifa International Hospital participated in Khan's eye assessment, while other examinations were carried out by the concerned PIMS specialists.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formed an inquiry committee, headed by the Establishment Division secretary, to establish facts and fix responsibility regarding the reported failure to conduct the CTA.
Legal Proceedings
The government filed a review plea against the Supreme Court's order to shift Khan to Shifa International Hospital, arguing that the directive was discriminatory and issued in violation of prison rules and principles of natural justice. The Supreme Court returned the review plea on Thursday with the objection that the contents of the affidavit and facts, along with the review petition filed under Article 188 of the Constitution, had not been properly drawn up and that one of the paper books was not in order. The government then filed a fresh review petition on Thursday, filed by the Islamabad chief commissioner, saying that his office had a direct, substantial and legally protected interest in the matter and that the August 18 order adversely affected its constitutional authority.
Background
Khan has been in custody since his arrest on August 5, 2023, in a corruption case. He is lodged in Adiala Jail, a detention facility on the outskirts of Rawalpindi. His relatives and supporters have repeatedly alleged human rights violations and accused authorities of restricting his access to adequate medical care, family visits, and legal counsel. Khan has an eye ailment called right central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), which came to light in late January.
How each outlet told it
Dawn
Framing: Headline states PTI's demand neutrally; no added angle. — Measured and detailed — includes technical explanation and both PTI and government positions.
Facts Included:
PTI condemned authorities' 'continued failure' to conduct CTA
Imran taken to PIMS early Friday for eye procedure and other diagnostics
Doctors recommended CTA but hospital staff said unavailable
Khan shifted back to Adiala jail without CTA
Sources explained difference between conventional angiography and CTA
128-slice CT scanner operational in PIMS radiology since March 2022
Senior doctor said patient should have been referred to radiology
PM Shehbaz Sharif formed inquiry committee headed by Establishment Division secretary
Akram reiterated demand to move Imran to Shifa International Hospital
Supreme Court directed on August 18
Government medical board examined Imran on August 10
PIMS cardiologist recommended CT Angiography on August 1
Akram's quotes: 'Even the government's own doctors considered this diagnostic test necessary'
Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Shahid Waheed, comprising Justices Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Ishtiaq Ibrahim
Court ordered Dr Uzma Khan and Dr Faisal Sultan to be present during medical check-up
Family and PTI members barred from disclosing health condition to media
Government filed review plea against SC order, returned on Thursday
Attaullah Tarar blamed 'security situation created by PTI workers' for diversion
Tarar said prisoner was taken to hospital between August 20 and 21, doctors declared him medically fit
PIMS administration said two specialists from Shifa participated in eye assessment
Government filed fresh review petition on Thursday
Framing: Headline emphasizes PTI's demand for immediate cardiac care; focuses on party's call rather than underlying allegations. — Sympathetic to PTI's position — quotes Akram's strong statements without balancing government perspective.
Facts Included:
PTI's Sheikh Waqas Akram said authorities failed to provide 73-year-old Khan with medically recommended diagnostic test
Functional CT scanner available at PIMS
Khan taken to PIMS on Friday for eye procedure and other diagnostics
Doctors recommended CTA but hospital officials said unavailable
Khan returned to Adiala jail without test
Akram's quote: 'This cannot be dismissed as an isolated administrative lapse; it reflects a deeply troubling pattern'
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formed inquiry committee headed by establishment division secretary
Supreme Court directed on August 18 to shift Khan to Shifa International Hospital
Akram's quote: 'Even the government's own doctors considered this diagnostic test necessary'
Khan's arrest on August 5, 2023, in corruption case
Khan lodged in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi
Relatives and supporters allege human rights violations and restricted access to medical care
Framing: Headline emphasizes PTI's demand for shift to Shifa after heart scan not done; focuses on action. — Sympathetic to PTI's position — uses strong quotes from Akram without government counterpoint.
Facts Included:
PTI condemned failure to conduct CTA
Demand to move Khan to Shifa International Hospital
PM Shehbaz Sharif formed inquiry committee
Akram said authorities failed to provide 73-year-old Khan with test despite functional scanner at PIMS
Khan taken to PIMS on Friday for eye procedure
Doctors recommended CTA but hospital said unavailable
Khan returned to Adiala jail without test
Akram's quote: 'This cannot be dismissed as an isolated administrative lapse...'
Supreme Court directed on August 18
Government medical board examined Khan on August 10
Cardiologist recommended CTA on August 1
Akram's quotes: 'Even the government's own doctors considered this diagnostic test necessary'
Akram's quote: 'Imran Khan's heart health cannot be subjected to political calculations...'
Khan arrested on August 5, 2023, in corruption case
Khan in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi
Relatives and supporters allege human rights violations
Framing: Headline emphasizes PTI's demand for immediate CTA at Shifa; focuses on action. — Measured but sympathetic to PTI — includes technical details and quotes from Akram without government counterpoint.
Facts Included:
PTI demanded immediate shift to Shifa International Hospital for CTA
Akram said authorities failed to provide test despite functional CT scanner at PIMS
Imran taken to PIMS early Friday for eye procedure and other diagnostics
Doctors recommended CTA but hospital officials said unavailable
Imran returned to Adiala jail without test
Sources explained difference between conventional angiography and CTA
128-slice CT scanner operational in PIMS radiology since March 2022
Senior doctor said patient could have been referred to radiology
PM Shehbaz Sharif formed inquiry committee headed by Establishment Division secretary
Government medical board examined Imran on August 10
PIMS cardiologist recommended CT angiography on August 1 due to fluctuating blood pressure, palpitations, headaches, restlessness
Akram's quote: 'Even the government's own doctors considered this diagnostic test necessary'
Akram questioned why test not conducted
Referred to Supreme Court's August 18 order
Demanded CTA at Shifa under supervision of independent specialists and personal physicians
Called for disclosure of medical records
Demanded full implementation of SC order and independent investigation
Akram's quote: 'Imran Khan's heart health cannot be subjected to political calculations, administrative excuses or further delay'
Warning that government responsible for any deterioration
Framing: Headline emphasizes PTI's question whether PIMS move was planned to block heart test, framing it as deliberate obstruction. — Accusatory — highlights PTI's allegations of deliberate negligence and 'grave question' of pre-planned prevention.
Facts Included:
PTI demanded that Imran Khan undergo CT Coronary Angiography at Shifa International Hospital
PTI Central Secretary Information Sheikh Waqas Akram said a government medical board examined Imran on August 10
A cardiologist at PIMS recommended CT Coronary Angiography on August 1
Hospital officials claimed equipment was unavailable despite functional CT scanner in radiology department
Akram quoted: 'This cannot be dismissed as an isolated administrative lapse; it reflects a deeply troubling pattern'
Supreme Court on August 18 ordered shifting Imran to Shifa International Hospital within two days
Government on August 20 briefly transferred Imran to PIMS and then back to Adiala Jail citing security concerns
Opposition condemned move as flagrant violation of Supreme Court order
Framing: Headline neutrally states PTI's demand; no added emphasis on motive. — Neutral — reports PTI's claims and government's actions without overt judgment.
Facts Included:
PTI demanded CT Coronary Angiography at Shifa International Hospital
Government medical board examined Imran on August 10
Cardiologist recommended CT Angiography on August 1
Each row is one claim, attributed to the outlet whose wording states it most clearly. Confidence rates how directly the source text states the claim — explicit and unhedged rates high; hedged, pieced-together, or internally inconsistent statements rate lower. It does not measure whether the claim is true. Status counts the distinct outlets we found asserting it — so a single-source claim can still show high confidence, and a multi-source claim can show medium. Every one of those outlets is named beside the status, so you can check the count against the list. For claims extracted before we began storing that list, the row says so: it names the outlet the claim is quoted from and states that we have not recorded which outlets backed it. Outlets wrote at different times, so a figure that evolves — a casualty count, for example — can legitimately differ between rows; check the "as of" time next to each claim's source.
Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimPTI demanded that Imran Khan undergo a CT Coronary Angiography at Shifa International Hospital.
ClaimPTI Central Secretary Information Sheikh Waqas Akram said a government medical board examined Imran Khan on August 10 following complaints of heart palpitations and severe headaches.
ClaimA cardiologist at PIMS recommended a CT Coronary Angiography for Imran Khan on August 1 due to fluctuating blood pressure, restlessness, and potential risks of cardiac complications.
ClaimHospital officials at PIMS claimed that the required equipment for the CT Coronary Angiography was unavailable, despite the presence of a functional CT scanner in the radiology department capable of conducting the test.
ClaimThe Supreme Court on August 18 ordered that incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan be shifted to Islamabad's Shifa International Hospital within two days for medical examination and treatment.
ClaimThe government on August 20 briefly transferred Imran Khan to PIMS and later shifted him back to Adiala Jail after his medical examination, citing security concerns.
ClaimThe opposition condemned the government's transfer of Imran Khan to PIMS and back to Adiala Jail as a flagrant violation of the Supreme Court order.
ClaimPrime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formed an inquiry committee, headed by the Establishment Division secretary, to establish facts and fix responsibility regarding the failure to conduct the CTA.
ClaimImran Khan's relatives and supporters have repeatedly alleged human rights violations and accused authorities of restricting his access to adequate medical care, family visits, and legal counsel.
ClaimThe Cardiac Centre's conventional angiography facility at PIMS is different from CTA; conventional angiography involves inserting a catheter into a blood vessel, while CTA is performed using a CT scanner and does not require puncturing a vein.
ClaimThe Supreme Court ordered that Dr Uzma Khan and Dr Faisal Sultan, Imran Khan's personal physician, be present during the medical check-up by a medical board.
ClaimImran Khan's family members, PTI members, and lawyers were barred from disclosing his health condition or medical reports to the media or public until the next hearing.
ClaimThe government filed a review plea against the Supreme Court's order to shift Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital, arguing that the directive was discriminatory and issued in violation of prison rules and principles of natural justice.
ClaimThe Supreme Court returned the government's review plea on Thursday with the objection that the contents of the affidavit and facts, along with the review petition filed under Article 188 of the Constitution, had not been properly drawn up and that one of the paper books was not in order.
ClaimInformation Minister Attaullah Tarar blamed 'the security situation created by PTI workers on the way to and outside Al Shifa Hospital' for the diversion of Imran Khan to PIMS.
ClaimAttaullah Tarar said that in light of the Supreme Court's order, the prisoner was taken to the hospital under appropriate security arrangements during the night between August 20 and 21, and a team of qualified doctors conducted a detailed examination and declared him medically fit.
ClaimThe PIMS administration said that two specialists from Shifa International Hospital participated in Imran Khan's eye assessment, while other examinations were carried out by the concerned PIMS specialists.
ClaimSheikh Waqas Akram warned that the government and all relevant authorities will bear full responsibility for any further deterioration in Imran Khan's condition.
ClaimThe PTI demanded the immediate performance of the recommended CT Coronary Angiography at Shifa International Hospital under the supervision of independent specialists and Imran Khan's personal physicians.
ClaimThe PTI called for the prompt disclosure of Imran Khan's complete medical records, reports, and diagnostic results to his family, personal medical team, and legal counsel.
ClaimThe PTI demanded full implementation of the Supreme Court's order regarding Imran Khan's comprehensive medical examination and treatment at Shifa International Hospital.
ClaimThe PTI called for a transparent and non-partisan inquiry into why Imran Khan was taken to PIMS instead of Shifa International and who ordered that the recommended diagnostic procedure not be performed.
ClaimSheikh Waqas Akram alleged that the authorities had bypassed the Supreme Court directive and instead transferred Imran Khan to a facility where the CT angiography was not performed.
ClaimSheikh Waqas Akram asked: 'When the necessary facilities were available at Shifa International, deliberately taking Imran to a hospital unable or unwilling to perform the procedure raises a grave question: was the decision made in advance to prevent the CT Coronary Angiography from being conducted?'
ClaimSheikh Waqas Akram said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's decision to form an inquiry committee raised serious questions about why the medically recommended test was not conducted, why coordination between the cardiology and radiology departments failed, and why Imran Khan was not taken to Shifa International despite the availability of the required facilities there.
ClaimSheikh Waqas Akram said the incident had intensified concerns over repeated delays and apparent negligence in providing Imran Khan with timely and appropriate medical care.
ClaimThe Supreme Court's August 18 order was issued while hearing interconnected matters concerning Imran Khan, including his plea relating to medical treatment and access to family members and lawyers.
ClaimThe PTI rejected the government's allegation that PTI workers created a security situation, and flayed the government for 'flouting' the Supreme Court order.
ClaimThe government filed a fresh review petition against the Supreme Court's August 18 order on Thursday, filed by the Islamabad chief commissioner, saying that his office had a direct, substantial and legally protected interest in the matter and that the August 18 order adversely affected its constitutional authority.