Iran ready for talks with US as Tehran sends message through Pakistan

  Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has said that the plan to transfer the party’s founder, Imran Khan, to a hospital was changed at the last moment, claiming that significant progress had already been made towards arranging the transfer. Speaking to the media at Dahagal Naka on Adiala Road in Rawalpindi, Gohar said the party’s efforts had been disrupted at the final stage. He expressed regret that Imran Khan could not receive treatment at Shifa International Hospital, saying it would have been a positive development if the former prime minister had been treated there. However, Gohar said he was not disappointed and would make another attempt to ensure that the party founder received appropriate medical treatment. He stressed that political dialogue and communication should not be abandoned, saying that efforts to maintain contact must continue. The PTI chairman clarified that all discussions held so far had focused solely on Imran Khan’s health. He also rejected a video circulating on social media that purportedly showed a meeting between him and Imran Khan, describing the footage as fake. Gohar urged political leaders and other stakeholders not to politicise Imran Khan’s health or turn the issue into a matter of political rhetoric. He maintained that the Supreme Court’s orders regarding the PTI founder’s treatment should have been implemented. According to Gohar, Imran Khan’s medical treatment was a straightforward matter and there was no justification for preventing his transfer. He said whoever stopped the transfer or changed the plan at the last moment had made the wrong decision. He acknowledged that the PTI also had concerns about Imran Khan’s security but said the government had never informed the party that security concerns were preventing his transfer to Shifa International Hospital. Gohar further said the party’s core and political committees had already made their position clear through official statements, asking supporters and party workers not to go to Shifa Hospital. Instead, Imran Khan was transferred to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS). However, Gohar claimed that the required treatment was not provided there either. He maintained that the Supreme Court’s directions could still be implemented if the relevant authorities were willing to act on them. The PTI chairman also revealed that the party’s petition had been assigned a case number in the Supreme Court and that a request had been submitted for an early hearing. He said the united opposition would now adopt a joint strategy in both the National Assembly and the Senate. Addressing allegations that the PTI had violated court orders, Gohar rejected the claim, saying the party had not disobeyed any Supreme Court directive. He clarified that Imran Khan’s sister had spoken publicly and confirmed that he had been taken to PIMS. Gohar said the PTI’s contempt petition was intended to seek implementation of the Supreme Court’s orders. He described it as a civil contempt matter rather than an attempt to challenge the court. He also mentioned that Noorain Niazi had been pleased after meeting Imran Khan the previous Tuesday. Gohar concluded by saying that Imran Khan’s health and security remained the party’s primary concerns. He also stressed the importance of opposition parties remaining united, arguing that reforms were urgently needed in the judiciary, Election Commission and provincial affairs.