PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information and Public Relations Minister Shafi Jan on Friday accused the federal government of violating the rights of former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi by denying them adequate medical treatment and access to family members and party leaders.

Speaking at a news conference organised by the Insaf Doctors Forum at Peshawar Press Club, the minister alleged that both Mr Khan and Bushra Bibi were being deprived of proper healthcare and contact with their relatives despite concerns about their health.

He said Mr Khan had been suffering from an eye problem for the past four months and claimed that his vision had not fully recovered. According to Mr Jan, Mr Khan and Bushra Bibi were taken to a hospital during the night for treatment in a manner that violated jail regulations. He alleged that the party was informed that the treatment lasted three hours but no verified medical information had been provided.

The minister demanded that Mr Khan and Bushra Bibi be allowed access to their personal physicians and called for their transfer to Shifa International Hospital for comprehensive medical care.

Mr Jan also questioned what he described as unequal treatment of political leaders, claiming that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had been provided extensive facilities and access to visitors during his incarceration, whereas Mr Khan was being denied similar privileges.

Referring to court orders regarding access to Mr Khan, the provincial minister alleged that restrictions on meetings with the former premier amounted to contempt of court.

The information minister criticised the federal government over economic issues, claiming that inflation and unemployment had reached alarming levels. He alleged that recent increases in fuel prices had placed an additional burden on the public.

Mr Jan also accused the federal government of neglecting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, alleging that the province was facing shortages of essential resources and had not received funds owed for internally displaced persons. He claimed that the centre still owed the province Rs4.8 billion in this regard.

Speaking about future political activities, Mr Jan said that various wings of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf would launch campaigns for the release of Mr Khan and Bushra Bibi and for ensuring their access to medical treatment. He added that party chairman-in-waiting Mahmood Khan Achakzai had been authorised by Mr Khan to lead decisions regarding future protests and political strategy.

Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2026