The condition of Pakistan’s cricketer-turned-politician, who was injured yesterday, has improved and his party has said he will address an election rally in the country tomorrow.
Islamabad, May 8/Nationalturk – The condition of Pakistan’s cricketer-turned-politician and chief of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) Imran Khan, who was injured in a lifter fall last evening, has improved and his party has said he will address an election rally in the country tomorrow.
Imran had sustained head and back injuries after he fell from a lifter during an election rally in Pakistan’s Lahore city on Tuesday evening. He received stitches on his head and back.
According to doctors Khan suffered two minor fractures to the skull and had a backache, but none of his injuries were life-threatening.
Imran has been admitted in Shaukat Khanum Hospital, which he had built himself and named after her mother. The doctors this morning said Imran is feeling better now.
“Imran would remain in the hospital till final decision to be taken regarding discharging him from the hospital. He will undergo a medical check-up by a team of doctors in the hospital this afternoon. Imran has sustained head injury besides backbone stress, but he was out of danger,” Saukhat Khanum Hospital’s Chief Executive Officer Dr Faisal Sultan told reporters.
Meanwhile, according to Pakistan’s TV channel Geo TV, Imran Khan’s party PTI has announced that Imran will address the election rally in national capital Islamabad tomorrow. The rally had earlier being cancelled following Imran Khan’s hospitalization.
“The election rally would go as per schedule with the active participation of Imran Khan, who suffered head and back injuries after falling down from a height of 10-14 feet while a fork lifter was hoisting him up to a stage set for a rally,” a PTI spokesman said.
He, however, said Imran’s addressing the Islamabad rally was dependent on his condition. “If doctors opine that he is not fit for travel then he might speak to the gathering via video-link”.
Earlier, PTI spokesman Shafqat Mehmood told reporters last evening that Imran would not be able to continue his political campaign for the elections on the advice of the doctors. “Imran has been asked by the doctors to suspend his ongoing election campaign for at least two weeks due to nature of his injuries”.
The election campaign in Pakistan will end tomorrow night prior to Saturday’s general elections.
Imran’s PTI has emerged as a leading force in Pakistan and political commentators opine that he may give a tough fight to two traditional parties – Peoples Party Pakistan and PML –Nawaz led by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif
TV footage showed him tumbling from lifter
The TV footage showed him tumbling down along with three body guards from a lifter. The 60-year-old, who has undertaken a punishing schedule of daily rallies but who is known for his physical fitness, tumbled from a riser along with three guards, seemingly after one of them lost their balance.
Seeing Imran bleeding and transported to hospital sent shockwaves amongst his party men, fans and the general public who have seen a hope in him. Hundreds of well wishers of Imran and party supporters gathered outside the Shaukat Khanam hospital, chanting “Long Live Imran Khan”. People were seen wailing. However, when doctors told them that Imran was out of danger, they were jubilant and celebrated with changes “Long Live Imran” and “God is Great”.
‘People must vote for PTI candidates to bring change in country’
Late in the evening Imran released a video message to his supporters and Pakistani people from the hospital.
In the message he said, he had done what he could in the last several years. “Now it is your (people’s) turn to take charge and ensure the making of ‘naya’ Pakistan,” he said.
“People must fight for the future of their children on May 11 and vote for the ideology of change. People, instead of voting for tribes and clans, should vote for PTI candidates to bring about a change in the country,” Imran said while lying on his bed at Shaukat Khanum Hospital.
He further said he has been doing for the country whatsoever was in his capacity, but now he wanted the people to realise the role they themselves can play for changing their destiny. “You, the people, have to decide if you want to carry on as it is or bring about a change. The way you, the people, have sustained the last five years, you will not be able to face sufferings any further,” he added.
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Faiz Ahmad / NationalTurk Pakistan News
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