Commenting on a news item published in a section of the press on September 7 that Dr A.Q. Khan's shifting to Karachi for treatment has been postponed on the ground that Agha Khan hospital has declined to perform the operation based on tests carried out in Islamabad.
An official spokesman has strongly rejected this report, calling it mischievous, ludicrous, preposterous and a figment of the reporter's mind. The spokesman said Dr A.Q. Khan has been shifted to Karachi onboard an official aircraft. Members of his family and his personal physician Lieutenant-General Chowhan (Retd) accompanied him. Dr Farhat Abbas, dean of surgery in Agha Khan hospital, has examined him.
Although there were arrangements for Dr A.Q. Khan to stay at an official accommodation in Karachi but Dr A.Q. Khan desired to stay at his sister's residence, which has been facilitated. Dr A.Q. Khan had a family get together at his sister's residence Thursday night.
Later, Dr Khan was admitted in Agha Khan hospital. His further tests will be conducted tomorrow and surgery is likely to be performed on Saturday. The spokesman said the press should avoid publishing unauthenticated reports and should not sensationalise an issue like this.