Trump’s Board of Peace plan draws global attention and criticism

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) has rejected reports that its CT scanning facility was unavailable after former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan was unable to undergo a recommended heart scan during his recent visit to the hospital. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the hospital administration said the CT machine installed in 2022 “remains functional” and continues to provide diagnostic services. Imran, who is currently incarcerated at Adiala Jail, was taken to Pims last week for an eye-related procedure and other medical examinations. Doctors had reportedly recommended a CT coronary angiography (CTA), a diagnostic test used to examine the coronary arteries and identify possible blockages. However, the test was not performed before he was returned to jail. The development prompted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to order an inquiry into reports that the required facility at Pims was not operational. An inquiry committee was subsequently constituted to establish the facts surrounding the missed examination. Pims clarified that medical imaging procedures are carried out according to clinical assessments, specialist recommendations, patient-safety requirements and established medical protocols. The administration also cautioned against interpreting the use or non-use of a particular imaging procedure outside its medical context. A senior Pims doctor, speaking on condition of anonymity, said approximately a dozen CT coronary angiographies had been performed at the hospital before the latest statement was issued. The controversy has also intensified demands from PTI leaders for Imran to be transferred to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad. The Supreme Court had directed on August 18 that he be shifted to the facility. PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram has questioned why the recommended examination was not carried out. He said a government-appointed medical board examined Imran on August 10, while a Pims cardiologist had recommended the cardiac scan earlier due to reported fluctuations in blood pressure, palpitations, headaches and restlessness, along with concerns related to his age and prolonged incarceration. Akram alleged that the test was considered medically necessary but was not conducted when Imran was brought to Pims. He further claimed that hospital officials cited the unavailability of the facility despite the presence of a functioning CT scanner. The conflicting accounts have placed renewed attention on Imran’s medical care and the circumstances surrounding the recommended cardiac examination, with the government-ordered inquiry expected to clarify whether the test was withheld for medical reasons or because of an operational issue.

  Overseas Pakistanis have welcomed the proposal to create new provinces in the country, describing it as a positive step toward improving administrative efficiency, strengthening governance and bringing public institutions closer to citizens. Rajah Nasir Hussain, a representative of overseas Pakistanis and a prominent businessman from Gujar Khan, expressed his support for the proposal . He said the idea of creating seven provinces should be considered alongside the establishment of an eighth province comprising Islamabad and the Potohar region. According to Hussain, the creation of new provinces could help address administrative challenges and improve the delivery of public services. He stressed, however, that any decision regarding the creation of new provinces should be made through constitutional amendments and broad political consensus. He said the issue should not be treated as a matter of political rivalry or regional competition. Instead, it should be viewed as an administrative reform aimed at improving governance and ensuring that citizens in different parts of the country receive better access to state institutions and public services. Hussain also highlighted the important role played by overseas Pakistanis in the national economy. He said millions of Pakistanis living and working abroad contribute significantly to the country through remittances. The funds sent by overseas Pakistanis provide vital support to Pakistan’s economy and help strengthen the country’s financial system. He noted that overseas Pakistanis continue to make economic contributions despite living outside the country. Their remittances support families, increase foreign exchange inflows and contribute to economic stability. In his view, their role should therefore be recognised not only in economic terms but also through greater representation in the country’s administrative and political framework. Hussain argued that the government and political leadership should explore new mechanisms through which overseas Pakistanis can participate more effectively in national affairs. He said their experience of living and working in different countries gives them exposure to modern administrative systems, business practices and governance models that could potentially benefit Pakistan. He further suggested that overseas Pakistanis should have greater opportunities to contribute to policy discussions concerning economic development, investment, governance and administrative reforms. Their participation, he said, could help policymakers understand international practices and identify approaches that may be adapted to Pakistan’s circumstances. Regarding the proposed new provinces, Hussain emphasised the importance of consultation among all stakeholders. He said political parties, provincial governments, civil society, constitutional experts and representatives of the affected regions should be involved in the discussion before any final decision is taken. He maintained that the creation of provinces should be based on administrative requirements, population, geographical considerations, economic viability and the interests of local communities rather than short-term political objectives. The proposal to consider Islamabad and Potohar as an eighth province, he said, should also be examined within this broader framework. Such a move, if supported by constitutional and political consensus, could potentially improve administrative management and representation in the region. Hussain reiterated that overseas Pakistanis support reforms aimed at strengthening the country’s administrative structure. He said the debate over new provinces provides an opportunity to consider broader governance reforms while ensuring constitutional procedures and national consensus. He concluded that overseas Pakistanis should be regarded as important stakeholders in Pakistan’s future. Given their economic contributions and national role, developing effective mechanisms for their political and administrative representation should be considered a priority alongside wider institutional reforms.