In partnership with
Profit
Govt jacks up petrol MEDICAL TEAM EXAMINES IMRAN IN JAIL AS PTI price by Rs5 per litre, CALLS EXERCISE ‘MALICIOUS’ AMID TTAP SIT-IN diesel Rs7.32 per litre Monday, 16 February, 2026 | 27 Sha’ban, 1447
g
g
EX-PM’S EYE EXAMINED AT ADIALA JAIL BY A FIVE-MEMBER TEAM OF SPECIALISTS FROM DIFFERENT HOSPITALS: SUPERINTENDENT
TTAP CONTINUES SIT-IN AT PARLIAMENT HOUSE, REITERATES IMRAN BE MOVED TO A HOSPITAL OF HIS PERSONAL DOCTORS’ CHOICE
A
ISLAMABAD
Saleem jadoon
team, comprising five specialist doctors on Sunday examined Imran Khan at Adiala Jail on Sunday and completed the inspection after about an hour at Adiala Jail, while the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) rejected the exercise conducted without the presence of his family and personal physicians, describing it as “malicious.” In a statement, Adiala Jail Superintendent Sajid Baig said that a team comprising specialists from different hospitals visited the jail to conduct an eye examination of the former prime minister. He said the doctors arrived with medical equipment, medicines and other necessary supplies. Baig said the team performed a detailed eye check-up under the supervision of a two-member medical board and that strict security arrangements were put in place during the visit. He added that the medical team’s report was expected to be compiled soon. The development comes after Imran, currently incarcerated at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, claimed on February 12 that his right eye had only 15 per cent vision remaining, prompting the Supreme Court (SC) to order the formation of a medical team to examine him. The court also directed that Imran be allowed to speak with his children. Both the eye examination and the phone calls were ordered to be conducted before Feb-
g
g
PTI REJECTS EXERCISE CONDUCTED WITHOUT PRESENCE OF HIS FAMILY AND PERSONAL PHYSICIANS, DESCRIBING IT AS ‘MALICIOUS’
FAMILY, PERSONAL PHYSICIANS DEMAND COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION AT TERTIARY HOSPITAL IN ISLAMABAD
PTI rejects ‘stage-managed’ jail medical exam of its founder ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Tuesday categorically rejected “what it described” as a stage-managed medical examination of its founder and former prime minister Imran Khan, reportedly conducted by the government and jail authorities at Adiala Jail, asserting that “any medical procedure carried out under such questionable circumstances” — and any report emanating from it — lacks credibility, transparency, and acceptability. PTI Central Information Secretary (CIS) Sheikh Waqas Akram strongly criticised the regime for making what he termed false and misleading claims that the party leader-
ruary 16 (Monday). Although government sources on Saturday hinted that Imran would be moved to a hospital, no such transfer had occurred by Sunday afternoon. At 3:45pm, however, Imran’s sister Noreen Khanum tweeted that an ambulance had reached Adiala Jail to move him, adding, “But this is unacceptable to us without our presence and that of Khan sahib’s personal doctors.” Adiala Jail’s superintendent dismissed the ambulance reports as a “ru-
ship had been informed and invited to be present during the examination, calling the assertion a clumsy attempt to deflect public attention from the core issue concerning Imran Khan’s deteriorating eyesight. Refuting the government’s version, Waqas said the authorities had repeatedly denied permission for Imran Khan’s sister, Dr Uzma Khan, to meet him, citing the claim that sisters were not allowed to see their brother. He added that when the family subsequently nominated their cousin, Dr Nausherwan Burki, to represent them, he too was barred from meeting Imran Khan and prevented from participating in the medical examination.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 03 mour,” clarifying that Imran was only being examined on-site, and the medical team would decide whether hospitalization was required. By around 5:30pm, the eye examination conducted by five doctors concluded, involving a detailed eye check-up, blood sampling, and blood pressure monitoring. Sources said the medical team faced a two-and-a-half-hour delay before starting the tests and that their report is likely to be compiled soon.
Pakistan invited to oath-taking of new Bangladeshi PM in Dhaka on Tuesday g
FO CONFIRMS INVITATION, SAYING PM SHEHBAZ SHARIF WILL BE UNABLE TO ATTEND DUE TO AUSTRIA VISIT ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
Pakistan has received an official invitation to attend the oath-taking ceremony of newly-elected Tarique Rahman as Bangladesh’s new prime minister, scheduled for February 17 in Dhaka. However, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will not be able to attend, as he had departed for a pre-scheduled official visit to Austria prior to receiving the invitation, a Foreign Office spokesperson confirmed that the prime minister remains engaged in his overseas trip. The heads of government from at least 13 countries, including Pakistan, China, India, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, UAE, Qatar, Malaysia, Brunei, Sri Lanka, Nepal, the Maldives, and Bhutan, have been invited to witness the historic ceremony. National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq is expected to represent Pakistan at the swearing-in of Bangladesh’s new cabinet, accompanied by a high-level delegation. The ceremony will be held at the National Parliament (Jatiya Sangsad) in Dhaka, with the Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin administering the oath to the newly elected MPs at 10:00 am, while President Mohammed Shahabuddin will administer the oath to the cabinet members at 4:00 pm at the South Plaza of Parliament. Media reports indicate that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is unlikely to attend. This year, Bangladesh has restructured the traditional swearing-in ceremony. For decades, the oath of the new head of government and cabinet members was held at Bangabhaban, where the President administered the oath to party leaders and ministers. For the first time,
the venue has been shifted to the South Plaza of Jatiya Sangsad, aiming to ensure large-scale public participation and make the democratic process more transparent and inclusive. Officials say the new arrangement will allow greater access for citizens to witness and participate in this historic event. Following its landslide election victory, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party expressed its intent to strengthen economic and constructive ties with Pakistan and expand bilateral cooperation. In a statement posted on the party’s official X account, the BNP highlighted recent positive momentum in bilateral engagements and reiterated its commitment to a forward-looking relationship based on mutual respect, sovereign equality, and constructive dialogue. The party emphasized that both countries should explore practical avenues for cooperation to advance regional peace, stability, and shared progress in South Asia, while underscoring the importance of dialogue, respect, and regional engagement in shaping future relations. The BNP also expressed hope that economic links and people-to-people contacts would expand in the coming years. The party acknowledged the congratulatory messages from Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif following its victory. President Zardari congratulated Tarique Rahman and praised the people of Bangladesh for holding peaceful elections, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended his congratulations and said he looked forward to working with the new leadership to strengthen bilateral ties and advance shared goals of peace, stability, and development in South Asia and beyond.
PM arrives in Vienna on 2-day visit to strengthen friendship between Pakistan and Austria ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Vienna on Sunday for his two-day visit being undertaken on Austrian chancellor Chancellor Christian Stocker, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office. “The prime minister along with delegation were warmly welcomed upon arrival at the Vienna International Airport, and a contingent of the Austrian Armed Forces presented a salute,” the statement read. PM Shehbaz announced his arrival in Vienna in a post on X, calling it a “city of history, culture and global diplomacy”. “I look forward to my meeting with Chancellor Christian Stocker to further strengthen the bonds of friendship between Pakistan and Austria,” the premier said, adding that their focus would be trade, investment and economic cooperation. He added that he was keen to meet the leadership of the Interna-
tional Atomic Energy Agency, (IAEA) the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the UN Industrial Development Organisation during his visit. PM Shehbaz said that these engagements aimed to “deepen our cooperation in peaceful nuclear energy, counter-narcotics and crime control, [and] sustainable industrial development and shared progress”. Earlier in the day, the Foreign Office said the premier was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and one of his aides, Tariq Fatemi.
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 223 | 8 Pages |Lahore Edition
The government’s official X account shared a video earlier in the day of the premier and his delegation departing for Vienna from PAF Base Lahore. In its statement, the Foreign Office (FO) noted that the trip marked “the first visit by a Pakistani prime minister to Austria in over three decades, the last having been undertaken by the then-prime minister Nawaz Sharif in 1992”. PM Shehbaz is undertaking the visit at the invitation of the Austrian chancellor.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 03
Imran had previously undergone a medical procedure at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) on January 24, which was confirmed days later amid apparent lack of prior knowledge by his family. PTI REJECTS EXAMINATION AS MALICIOUS Shortly after the inspection, PTI rejected the procedure, saying that without the presence of Imran’s personal doctors and family, the process was “malicious”. “Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf categorically rejects the conduct of the government and jail authorities regarding the medical examination of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s eye at Adiala Jail,” the party said in a post on X. The statement added that the government’s claim of notifying party leadership was a “crude attempt to divert attention from the core issue”, emphasizing that in sensitive medical matters, the constitutional, moral, and legal right to make decisions rests solely with Imran Khan’s family. Inviting party representatives symbolically, the PTI said, has no legal or moral justification. Earlier, Imran’s sister Aleema Khanum reaffirmed that no medical board formed without the approval of Imran’s personal doctors would be accepted. She expressed concern over reports that he might be shifted to Al-Shifa Eye Hospital in Rawalpindi. “Our demand has been clear from the beginning: no treatment without our family’s consent and personal doctors’ supervision,” she said.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 03
ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
The federal government on Sunday announced an increase of Rs5 per litre in the price of petrol and Rs7.32 per litre in price of high-speed diesel for the next fortnight, according to a notification issued by the Petroleum Division late on Sunday night. Petrol has been raised by Rs5 per litre, taking the price from Rs253.17 to Rs258.17 per litre. High-speed diesel (HSD) has been increased by Rs7.32 per litre and now costs Rs275.70 per litre, up from the previous Rs268.38. The notification further stated that the revised prices take effect immediately from February 16 and will remain in force for the next fortnight. Fuel prices in Pakistan are reviewed fortnightly and are influenced by changes in international oil prices, exchange rate fluctuations, and domestic tax adjustments. Diesel prices are of particular concern as HSD is widely used in transport, agriculture, and power generation, meaning increases often have a direct impact on inflation and the cost of essential goods. On February 1, in its fortnightly review, the federal government had reduced the price of high-speed diesel by Rs14 per litre from Rs282.38 to Rs268.38 per litre for the next 15 days, while keeping petrol prices unchanged at Rs253.17 per litre. Earlier, sources had said the price of petrol might rise by Rs4.39 per litre, while high-speed diesel was likely to see an increase of Rs5.40 per litre.
Defense experts dismiss Indian CDS claims as misleading ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
Dehli-based defense experts have rubbished Indian Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan’s claims about India’s Operation Sindoor, saying Pakistan’s operation Bunyanum Marsoos was a success. According to Kashmir Media Service, speaking at a seminar hosted by the Indian Army’s Southern Command in Pune, Gen Chauhan had claimed that Pakistan’s claims of “victory” in the May conflict were based on “mere rhetoric” and that India had inflicted significant losses on Pakistan during the operation. According to Gen Chauhan, over 13 Pakistani airbases were hit and multiple terror camps were struck during the operation, runways damaged, airfields crippled, and air defence systems dysfunctional. However, defense experts say Gen Chauhan’s claims are exaggerated and lack concrete evidence. “The India’s CDS is trying to spin a narrative that doesn’t hold up to scrutiny.