No deal with PTI founder; release only through courts, says minister

Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said on Tuesday that the government had not offered any deal or concession to the PTI founder, and that his release was possible only through the courts. He was speaking to journalists at Parliament House.

On the founder's health, Chaudhry said he had access to medical examinations and that the government had never neglected his treatment. He criticised lawyer Salman Safdar for discussing medical matters, and said Safdar himself had acknowledged that the PTI founder had access to medical examinations.

Chaudhry said the former prime minister had been taken to hospital six times before the Supreme Court issued directions on his hospital treatment. He added that a doctor was brought from London when concerns arose over the founder's blood pressure.

He said the PTI founder had received appropriate medical care and that there would be no negligence in his future treatment.

Turning to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Chaudhry criticised the PTI's 13-year rule in the province. He said the provincial government had failed to provide adequate public facilities during its tenure.

He said the emergency imposed in the province would remain in force until the government achieved its objectives. Governor's Rule and the emergency were imposed as a last resort to address the security situation, he said.

Chaudhry accused the PTI of refusing to cooperate with the state and security institutions in the fight against terrorism. He said Governor's Rule and the emergency measures resulted from the party's own political decisions.

He said the government could not afford to fail in restoring peace in the province. He described the PTI's politics as a period of confrontation and instability, and said that era had ended and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan were moving towards peace and development.