LAHORE: The lawyer representing Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on Tuesday that the senior PTI leader, who is currently incarcerated at Kot Lakhpat jail, was taken to the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) days after suffering a fall.
Qureshi has been indicted in multiple cases pertaining to theMay 9, 2023 riots and has remained behind bars since August 2023. In July 2024, the PTI leader was indicted by a Lahore antiterrorism court in a case registered by the Shadman police on the charges of attacking and burning the police station.
Speaking to Dawn, his counselRana Mudassar Umar said: ‘[Qureshi] was taken to the PIC today (Tuesday) as he fainted and suffered a fall a few days ago. We had submitted an application in the antiterrorism court; however, due to holidays, the issue was delayed.
He said that Qureshi was being held under observation for 24 hours, ‘after which it will be decided whether he has to be admitted to the hospital.
Last week, Qureshi’s daughter, Meher Bano, in a post on social media platform X, had said that she had learnt about her father’s fall from ‘family after they met him in Kot Lakhpat jail.
‘Three-and-a-half years ago a hale and hearty lion heart was sent to jail on trumped up charges ... For over two years, he has been in Kot Lakhpat jail now facing ludicrous and false charges relating to May 9.
He has been acquitted multiple times but [remains] behind bars due to the government’s mala fide,’ she alleged.
Qureshi’s son, Zain, said on Wednesday that he met his father injail, where he mentioned that he had collapsed while walking within his barracks. ‘I request the prison authorities to immediately arrange for a CT scan so that his [Qureshi’s] health condition can be thoroughly assessed.
Furthermore, he should be taken to a qualified dentist for the treatment of a cracked tooth,’ he said onX.
On Nov 6, a meeting of the PTI core committee also expressed concern over Qureshi’s ‘fall and the resulting impact on his health.
The committee demanded the relevant courts, the government and the prison administration immediately transfer Qureshi to a hospital and ensure his complete medical examination and necessary treatment.
In December last year, Qureshi, who is also a former foreign minister, underwent a procedure to get his gallbladder removed at the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute. Prior to that, he was taken to the PIC in May after complaining of heart pain.