Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has taken aim at Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf over its push for Imran Khan hospitalisation, arguing that the party once branded its founder as an “iron man” and is now advocating for his move from prison to a hospital bed.
Writing on X on Tuesday, Asif said PTI’s efforts to secure Khan’s release from jail, along with what he termed an “NRO,” had escalated to a new level.
According to the defence minister, the celebrations seen among PTI leaders following the judiciary’s decision to grant what he called extraordinary relief pointed to the party’s ongoing determination to find a way to get Khan out of prison.
The ‘Iron Man’ Contradiction
Asif remarked that there was something deeply ironic about the situation, given that PTI had long projected its founder as an unbreakable, tough figure, yet was now pursuing his transfer from Adiala jail to a hospital setting.
He was careful to clarify that he held no objection to Khan receiving prompt, thorough, and effective medical care. That said, he insisted PTI needed to reconcile this request for Imran Khan hospitalisation with the image of strength it had previously built around him, calling the inconsistency something the party owed an explanation for.
In a more pointed comment, the minister described the unfolding events as “nature’s revenge,” suggesting that what he called “mountains of arrogance” had ultimately been dwarfed by the Margalla Hills.
Despite his criticism, Asif ended his remarks on a softer note, offering a prayer for Khan’s wellbeing and asking for his complete recovery from any illnesses he may be facing.
Supreme Court’s Directive Behind the Controversy
Asif’s comments followed a ruling from the Supreme Court, which instructed relevant authorities to transfer Khan to Islamabad’s Shifa International Hospital for a medical evaluation. The court also ordered that his family be granted weekly visitation rights during this period.
The directive has fueled fresh political debate, with government figures like Asif questioning PTI’s motives even as the legal process concerning Khan’s health and detention continues to unfold.
