No evidence of poisoning: Bushra given clean bill of health by private hospital

ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: Doctors have given a clean chit of health to Bushra Bibi, the wife of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, after a thorough medical examination in the presence of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder’s trusted family physician, Geo News reported.

Bushra Bibi stayed at a private hospital in Islamabad for 6 hours for diagnostic tests, including endoscopy. Sources revealed that the former first lady refused to undergo a blood test and did not provide a blood sample.

The hospital sources stated that Bushra Bibi also underwent ultrasound, ECHO, and ECG tests, while during the check-up, Imran Khan’s physician, Dr Asim Yousuf, was also present. The doctors, according to the sources, cleared all the medical reports of the former first lady. The hospital sources said that Bushra Bibi only had a minor gastric issue.

The sources also mentioned that Bushra Bibi’s refusal to provide a blood sample would be mentioned in the final report, and the reports provided to Dr Asim, jail superintendent and Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).

It should be noted that yesterday, the accountability court had ordered Bushra Bibi’s full medical check-up at a private hospital in two days.

On April 15, Bushra Bibi moved the Islamabad High Court (IHC), urging the court to arrange for her medical examination and tests at the Shaukat Khanum Hospital or another private hospital of her preference to investigate whether she was served poisoned/tainted food.

In her petition, Bushra Bibi claimed she was suffering from heartburn, and her throat and mouth hurt and that she believes it was caused by the poisonous meals served to her. Bibi also said she was subjected to psychological torture at her Banigala sub-jail.

Moreover, Imran Khan, who is incarcerated in Adiala Jail, went as far as alleging that Bushra Bibi was given food that was spiked with drops of toilet cleaner.

During the hearing of £190 million National Crime Agency (NCA) case at the Adiala Jail, Khan told Judge Nasir Javed Rana that additional walls had been erected in the courtroom, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a closed court.

The judge directed the jail administration to remove the additional barriers immediately and adjourned the hearing for an hour. The jail administration obeyed the order and removed the additional barriers.

Meanwhile, an inclusive check-up of PTI founder Imran was conducted in Adiala jail by his physician Dr Asim on Saturday as ordered by the court, according to jail sources. The medical examination lasted for over one hour.

Meanwhile, a three-member team of doctors from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) conducted a medical examination of PTI President Chaudhry Parvez Elahi in the jail. Dr. Zulfiqar, Dr Mehboob, and Dr Naveed were among the members of the PIMS team.

At the same time, the wife of PTI President Chaudhry Parvez Elahi met him in the committee room of the jail and remained with him for about an hour, according to jail sources.

Meanwhile, Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari has said PTI’s propaganda and victimisation cards do not prove to be effective for long to gain false sympathies. The minister said PTI has been raising hue and cry about poisoning Bushra Bibi for the last three weeks while all medical reports have been declared clear.

Meanwhile, Imran Khan’s lawyer Intazar Hussain Panjutha expressed alarm that the initial medical assessment of Bushra Bibi proved their apprehensions regarding her health valid because it established that her condition was not good. Panjutha noted that Bushra Bibi had wounds in her stomach and alimentary canal (digestive tract) because the food she was being provided was not suitable.

He revealed that physically she was also not well and her lips were so much affected that even she cannot even speak properly, adding that the doctor also advised to provide her appropriate food.

Meanwhile, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government wrote another letter to Punjab chief secretary and offered to provide health services to Bushra Bibi. This is the second letter from Health Minister Syed Qasim Shah to the chief secretary of Punjab government. The KP minister reminded him of his previous letter and again offered to provide health services to Bushra Bibi.

A PTI spokesperson said the medical check-up of the party founder’s spouse Bushra Bibi conducted on the court order revealed initially the facts were very worrisome and proved to be a confirmation of their concerns.