LAHORE — The controversy surrounding the proposed transfer of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital has taken a new turn after his sister, Dr Uzma Khan, said that he was “completely fit and healthy” and had no serious medical complaint.

The statement comes as PTI has filed a contempt petition in the Supreme Court against the federal government over what it claims was a violation of the court’s order to transfer Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital for medical treatment.

Speaking to reporters after meeting her brother at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad, Dr Uzma said she had directly asked Imran about his health and he assured her that he was fit. She said his blood pressure was normal and he appeared to be in good overall health.

According to Dr Uzma, Imran’s primary complaint was anxiety associated with prolonged incarceration and periods of isolation in jail. She said the medical examination did not indicate any serious physical illness requiring prolonged hospitalisation.

A six-member medical board comprising doctors from Shifa International Hospital examined Imran at PIMS, while Dr Uzma was also present. A medical fitness report was subsequently prepared.

PIMS officials said that, in addition to the general medical examination, two eye specialists from Shifa International also examined Imran. An injection was administered in one of his eyes to improve his vision. Hospital authorities, however, said details of the medical report could not be made public because of the Supreme Court’s directions and patient privacy.

The development has intensified the dispute between PTI and the federal government. PTI maintains that the Supreme Court had ordered Imran Khan’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital and his treatment there, but he was instead taken to PIMS and returned to Adiala Jail only a few hours later.

Dr Uzma, however, said that during their meeting at PIMS, Imran did not insist on being shifted to Shifa. She said she informed him that the Supreme Court had ordered his complete medical examination and treatment and that he would be returned to Adiala Jail after the medical process was completed.

PTI supporters had meanwhile gathered outside Shifa International Hospital amid reports that Imran would be transferred there. The presence of government vehicles inside the hospital premises late at night also fuelled speculation that the PTI founder had been taken to Shifa.

Information Minister Atta Tarar later clarified that Imran was shifted to PIMS because of the presence of PTI workers outside Shifa International and the resulting security concerns. He said Shifa doctors were present at PIMS and that Imran was examined by specialists there.

Tarar maintained that Imran had previously been provided medical facilities and would continue to receive medical care whenever required.

PTI and Imran Khan’s family, however, have questioned why he was taken to PIMS and returned to jail within hours if the Supreme Court had ordered his transfer to Shifa International and treatment there until the next hearing.

Dr Uzma’s remarks have added another dimension to the controversy, particularly regarding the medical justification for keeping Imran hospitalised. Her account suggests that Imran was medically stable, had normal blood pressure and was not suffering from a serious physical illness, with anxiety related to incarceration being his principal complaint.

The dispute has therefore moved beyond a straightforward medical issue and now encompasses the interpretation of the Supreme Court’s order, government arrangements, security concerns, PTI’s legal objections and statements from Imran Khan’s family.

The central question now is whether prolonged hospitalisation remains medically necessary if Imran Khan is considered physically fit — and how that assessment affects the implementation and interpretation of the Supreme Court’s directions.