ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Saturday rejected claims about Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s deteriorating health, saying an assessment by Imran’s sister and doctors indicated that the former prime minister was in good health.
In a post on X, Asif said Imran’s sister, Dr Uzma Niazi, had met him along with other doctors and described him as “absolutely fit”.
According to Asif, she also checked Imran’s blood pressure and found it to be within the normal range.
The defence minister accused Imran’s supporters, particularly those overseas, of creating what he described as an atmosphere of fear and anxiety over the PTI founder’s health.
He alleged that the campaign was intended to trigger protests and create a political crisis that could potentially lead to a change of government and facilitate Imran’s political return.
Asif also alleged that claims about Imran’s health were being promoted through foreign media and described them as a “hoax”.
Government cites medical examinations
Asif’s statement came as the government rejected allegations that Imran had been denied adequate medical care during his imprisonment.
The government said Imran had undergone approximately 30 medical examinations by specialist teams and medical boards since his imprisonment.
According to the government, the examinations involved specialists from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Shifa International, Shaukat Khanum and Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, in addition to routine examinations by the prison doctor.
It said specialist assessments conducted in July and on August 21, 2026, described Imran as “oriented, stable” and recorded no acute or unmanaged deterioration.
The government also said Imran had received specialist treatment for a retinal condition, including five intravitreal anti-VEGF injections, retinal imaging, medication and follow-up examinations.
It cited comments attributed to Dr Uzma Niazi that Imran was “100 percent fit”, with a blood pressure reading of 120/80. The government also said she had indicated that his eye condition had almost completely healed.
Govt rejects claims of family isolation
The government also disputed allegations that Imran had been completely isolated from his family.
According to prison records cited by the government, approximately 198 interview sessions involving more than 900 visitor entries had taken place.
The visitors included Imran’s sisters, family members, lawyers, doctors and political representatives.
The government said Imran had also been allowed weekly meetings with his wife, with the latest recorded meeting taking place on August 4.
It added that meetings with his sisters were recorded on August 18, 19 and 25.
The government further said Supreme Court directions concerning Imran’s medical examinations and treatment had been implemented and that his sister was present during the medical examination.
Government urges media to rely on records
The government urged media organisations to distinguish between what it described as verified custodial and medical records and politically contested allegations.
The dispute over Imran’s health comes amid continued political tensions surrounding his imprisonment and calls from PTI supporters regarding his condition and access to medical care.
The government maintains that Imran has received regular medical examinations, specialist treatment and access to family members, while Asif has accused his supporters of using health-related claims to generate political pressure.
The allegations and government claims remain politically contested, with official medical and judicial records expected to remain central to any further assessment of Imran’s health and prison conditions.