Mohsin Naqvi’s Quiet Role in Implementing Supreme Court Order
Islamabad: As a result of quiet behind-the-scenes efforts by Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, contacts were established between the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf to implement the Supreme Court of Pakistan order regarding the eye examination of former prime minister Imran Khan. However, the process faced repeated delays due to changing positions taken by Aleema Khan, sources said.
According to sources, Mohsin Naqvi, known for his close ties with the senior military leadership, played a central role in bridging the communication gap at a time when no formal contact existed between the two sides. His efforts helped pave the way for a mutually agreed medical examination of the PTI founder, who is currently incarcerated at Adiala Jail.
Under the agreed framework, the government consented to form an independent medical board comprising multiple doctors, while PTI was allowed to nominate one independent physician. PTI proposed Dr Nadeem Qureshi, whose name was accepted by the authorities. The government also permitted PTI to nominate a family representative to oversee the process. Following consultations with Aleema Khan, PTI initially nominated Imran Khan’s nephew Qasim Zaman as the family representative, a proposal accepted by the government. Subsequently, Aleema Khan withdrew the nomination and conveyed that Dr Nosherwan Burki should be included in that role.
Sources said that while these backchannel discussions were ongoing, Aleema Khan continued to share various posts on social media. They added that although PTI’s nominated independent doctor could be included in the medical board, the inclusion of a family doctor as a representative was not permissible. PTI was therefore asked to nominate a non-doctor family member.
Repeated changes led to delays and uncertainty, surprising even some PTI leaders and members of the opposition alliance monitoring the process, sources said.
PTI also proposed shifting Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad for admission. The government responded that hospitalization would depend solely on the recommendation of the medical board, noting that the Supreme Court order contained no directive for prior admission. This position was conveyed to PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, with an emphasis on adopting a balanced and consistent approach. As no final alternative arrangement emerged from the opposition, the independent medical board, including PTI’s nominated doctor, proceeded to Adiala Jail and conducted the examination. PTI had been invited to send a representative, but none was present at the time of the examination.
Following the examination, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas were taken to meet the doctors, where they were briefed on the findings.
The government also facilitated telephonic consultations between the examining doctors and PTI-affiliated Lahore-based physicians Dr Asim Yusuf and Dr Khurram Mirza.
The medical board did not identify any serious eye condition. Imran Khan’s vision was recorded as 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other, and the board recommended glasses with a mild prescription.
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