PM Shehbaz takes notice of non-functional CTA machine at PIMS cardiology dept; Imran's related test not performed

PM Shehbaz takes notice of non-functional CTA machine at PIMS cardiology dept; Imran's related test not performed.

Key points

• Ikram Junaidi Published August 22, 2026 Updated August 22, 2026 07: 04pm.
• The CTA machine at the Cardiac Centre had been available in 2011 but afterwards became non-functional, the doctors stated.
• He further informed Dawn that after the matter came to light, Health Secretary Muhammad Aslam Ghauri visited Pims and verified that the machine was available.
• Another doctor reiterated that the CTA machine in the radiology department had been functional since March 2022.
• Executive Director Pims Dr Rana Imran Sikander could not be reached for comment.

Ikram Junaidi Published August 22, 2026 Updated August 22, 2026 07: 04pm. Join our Whatsapp Channel. Add Dawn as a trusted source.

After former premier Imran Khan was brought to the hospital for a medical check-up, ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday took notice of the non-functional computed tomography angiography (CTA) machine at the cardiology department of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims).

For context, the premier has constituted a committee, headed by the Establishment Division secretary, to examine all aspects of the matter, determine the facts and fix responsibility.

According to a senior doctor who is part of the medical facility's administration, the lapse occurred after the PTI founder was brought to the hospital in the early hours of Friday without prior intimation, referral or patient registration.

As it was not an emergency case, and he should have been registered as a patient, "Ideally, Imran Khan should have been brought in daylight. All departments were not in the loop, " he informed Dawn.

According to credible sources at Pims. This person requested anonymity, Imran's CTA – commonly known as CT angiography – was recommended, but the test could not be completed since the facility was unavailable. Imran was subsequently taken back to Adiala jail.

After it emerged that Imran's CTA could not be conducted at Pims, some senior doctors remarked the required machine was available in the radiology department, but the information was not brought to the attention of those treating Imran while he was at the hospital, on Friday.

For context, the CTA machine at the Cardiac Centre had been available in 2011 but afterwards became non-functional, the doctors stated.

Notably, a senior doctor continued that the Cardiac Centre had a facility for conventional angiography, in which a vein is punctured and a camera is employed to diagnose a blockage. The functional CTA machine, nevertheless, was available only in the radiology department, the doctor went on.

"The CTA is performed by a radiologist on the advice of clinicians as it uses radiation rather than requiring a vein to be punctured. Nevertheless, no one advised that Imran be referred to the radiology department, " he stated.

Executive Director Pims Dr Rana Imran Sikander could not be reached for comment. A message sent to him had not received a response by the time this report was filed.

According to an official administration statement, the premier took notice of the non-functional CTA facility at Pims and constituted an inquiry committee to determine the facts.

Notably, the premier directed the committee to examine all aspects of the matter and submit a report.

While its members would include National Health Services secretary, Brigadier Dr Jahanzeb Ali of the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC), Dr Nusratullah Chaudhry, Professor Dr Nadeem Hayat Malik, Brigadier (retd) Dr Azmat Hayat of Pims, and AFIC CT angiography technician Umar Farooq, the committee would be headed by the Establishment Division secretary. The committee may co-opt any other member if required.

According to the terms of reference, the committee will determine whether Pims had the technical capability to perform CTA since 2022 and, if so, whether the required technical facilities, human resources and software were available.

It will additionally examine the number, dates and nature of CTA procedures performed at Pims since 2022, along with relevant hospital records and other documentary evidence.

For context, the committee will investigate the coordination and referral mechanisms between the cardiology and radiology departments and assess the role of the hospital administration in providing the facility.

It will additionally examine whether patients in the cardiology department were routinely referred to private medical centres for CTA.

In cases of such referrals, the committee will determine whether any particular private facility was given preference and how much business was diverted from the public hospital to private centres.

In practice, the inquiry committee will further investigate any lack of coordination, mismanagement or misunderstanding between the cardiology and radiology departments that may have resulted in a loss to the public interest and identify the officers or offices responsible.

PM Shehbaz directed the committee to conduct a comprehensive examination of all relevant facts and records and submit its report so that further action could be taken in accordance with the law.

Notably, the National Health Services ministry will provide the necessary assistance to the committee during the inquiry. Imran's hospital transfer saga.

On Tuesday, the SC had ordered the administration to shift Imran to Shifa International Hospital within two days for examination and treatment by a multidisciplinary medical board.

In practice, a three-member bench headed by Justice Shahid Waheed and comprising Justices Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Ishtiaq Ibr­ahim issued the interim directions on petitions seeking Imran's hospitalisation, access to personal physicians and family members and provision of his medical record to his family.

Notably, the court had additionally ordered that Dr Uzma Khan and Dr Faisal Sultan – Imran Khan's personal physician – be present during the medical check-up by a medical board.

Meanwhile, Imran's family members, PTI members and lawyers associated with him were barred from disclosing his health condition or medical reports to the media or public until the next hearing.

Meanwhile, the next day, the administration had filed a review plea against the court's order to shift Imran to the private hospital, arguing that the directive was discriminatory and issued in violation of prison rules and principles of natural justice.

Nevertheless, the SC had returned the plea on Thursday with the objection that the contents of the affidavit and facts, along with the review petition filed under Article 188 of the Constitution, had not been properly drawn up and that one of the paper books of was not in order.

Meanwhile, the same night, elaborate arrangements were put in place in and around Shifa International Hospital, and all signs pointed to the PTI founder being brought there, in compliance with SC order.

Nevertheless, it became clear on Friday morning that Imran had been taken to Pims for a check-up and then subsequently transported back to prison.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar blamed "the security situation created by PTI workers on the way to and outside Al Shifa Hospital" for the diversion.

In a post on X, he remarked, In the light of the SC's order, the prisoner was taken to the hospital under appropriate security arrangements during the night between August 20 and 21.

"A team of qualified doctors, including an ophthalmologist, a cardiologist, and a physician, conducted a detailed examination of him and declared him medically fit, " he remarked.

While other exa­minations were carri­­ed out by the concerned Pims specialists, afterwards, the Pims administration stated that two specialists from Shifa Inter­national Hospital participated in Imran's eye assessment.

Imran has been taken to Pims multiple times after his eye ailment – right central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) – came to light in late January.

"The clinical input ari­sing from the ophthalmological assessment was taken into account alongside findings of the investigations conducted at Pims, " the statement remarked.

Meanwhile, the administration on Thursday filed a fresh review petition against the SC's Aug 18 order. The Islamabad chief commissioner again filed the plea, saying that his office had a direct, substantial and legally protected interest in the matter and that the Aug 18 order adversely affected its constitutional authority.

For now, PM Shehbaz takes notice of non-functional CTA machine at PIMS cardiology dept; remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.