Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry has dismissed reports circulating in Indian and Afghan media regarding the health of PTI founder Imran Khan as “fake and baseless.” Speaking in the Senate on Friday, Dr. Chaudhry assured lawmakers that the PTI founder is in good health and all necessary facilities are being provided to him. The Senate session, chaired by Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, also saw Advisor to the Prime Minister on Privatization Muhammad Ali present the Privatization Commission Amendment Bill, 2025, which was referred to the relevant Standing Committee. In other proceedings, the Senate was briefed on federal initiatives to promote tourism in Chitral, even after the responsibility was devolved to provincial governments following the 18th Constitutional Amendment. Responding to a question by Senator Muhammad Talha Mahmood, Dr. Chaudhry said the federal cabinet had approved restructuring the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) in May 2019. Following this, all PTDC properties—including those in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa—were handed over to provincial authorities in July 2020. Before restructuring, PTDC operated five lodging facilities in Chitral Valley (Chitral city, Bumburet, Mastuj, Booni, and Birmoglasht) to provide affordable accommodation, along with a Tourist Facilitation Centre to assist domestic and international visitors. Dr. Chaudhry added that PTDC continued promoting Chitral Valley internationally through events such as World Travel Mart (WTM) London, ITB Berlin, and the Travel & Adventure Show in New York, in collaboration with provincial tourism departments and tour operators. He added that PTDC, in partnership with the Sustainable Tourism Foundation Pakistan (STFP), had developed dedicated tourism websites—www.tourism.gov.pk and www.visitchitralvalley.com—to assist visitors. The platforms provide essential information such as travel routes, accommodation options, tourist attractions, local cuisine, handicrafts, and details of regional fairs and festivals. “The federal government continues to support efforts to promote Chitral as a premier tourist destination, while operational responsibilities now lie with the provincial authorities,” the minister said. The House has now been adjourned to meet again on Monday at four pm.
PTI founder’s health reports dismissed as baseless, Senate told
