ABDUL QADIR PATEL PRESS CONFERENCE:

During last week’s press conference, the health minister had rejected questions surrounding the moral and ethical grounds for releasing someone’s health records. He had also announced he would share more information about Imran as a detailed report was still awaited.

Patel said it all began on May 9 after Imran’s urine sample was obtained at a NAB office shortly after the former prime minister was arrested in a corruption case. He claimed Imran was completely examined by a medical board comprising five senior officials of the Polyclinic and Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims). Reading from the medical fitness report, the only one shared with the media, the health minister said Imran appeared under stress and displayed symptoms of anxiety during the examination.

The report claimed that Imran was also angry about recent events and had little insight into the seriousness of the current situation. It also questioned his mental stability.

Ironically, however, the report’s findings showed nothing to support these remarks. In fact, it showed almost all tangible indicators were normal.

Patel then referred to Imran’s “initial” urine test report, which he claimed suggested extensive drug and alcohol use, but the minister was unsure about the ratio of their consumption. Still, he insisted on its findings. He said a detailed report would be shared with the media once finalised.

On legal action against Imran based on these findings, the minister said the government would go to the police once the ratios of such substances were finalised and reported.