The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has lodged a contempt of court petition in the Supreme Court challenging the federal government’s decision to transfer party founder and former prime minister Imran Khan to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) instead of the court-ordered Shifa International Hospital.
PTI Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja and Uzair Bhandari submitted the petition on behalf of the party, urging immediate enforcement of the Supreme Court’s directive dated August 18 concerning Khan’s medical examination and treatment. The petition requests the court to order Khan’s prompt transfer to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad for a thorough medical evaluation.
Furthermore, the PTI has called for the appointment of a judicial officer or the establishment of a local commission to ensure the court’s order is fully implemented. The party seeks a declaration that the respondents have committed contempt of court and demands legal penalties accordingly.
In its August 18 ruling, the Supreme Court instructed authorities to shift Khan to Shifa International Hospital for medical examination. However, during the night between August 20 and 21, Khan was instead moved to PIMS.
In a significant development, PIMS stated that Khan was admitted to the state-run hospital for medical assessment and treatment. The hospital confirmed that two specialists from Shifa International Hospital participated in his eye examination, while other evaluations were conducted by PIMS experts. PIMS announced that its medical board completed Khan’s medical fitness report but that the details would remain confidential as per the Supreme Court’s instructions.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar asserted that Khan was taken to the hospital under proper security arrangements in compliance with the Supreme Court’s decision. He added that a team of qualified doctors, including an eye specialist, cardiologist, and physician, performed a comprehensive examination and declared Khan medically fit. Tarar also noted that Khan’s sister, Dr. Uzma Khan, was present throughout the examination and treatment process. Khan was reportedly returned to Adiala Jail around 5 a.m. on August 21.
Meanwhile, Dr. Uzma Khan contested the government’s version, claiming that only a superficial examination occurred at PIMS. She alleged officials lacked access to her brother’s medical records and stated that only his eyes and blood pressure were checked. Additionally, Khan’s personal physician, Dr. Faisal Sultan, said he traveled to Shifa International Hospital and waited for several hours after being informed that Khan would be brought there.
PTI has accused the federal government of disregarding the Supreme Court’s order. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan emphasized that the court’s instructions regarding Khan’s transfer to the designated medical facility were explicit and unambiguous.
The Supreme Court’s August 18 order mandated that Khan be transferred to Shifa International Hospital within 48 hours for specialist examination and treatment by a medical board that included Dr. Faisal Sultan. The federal government later petitioned the Supreme Court to rescind this order, arguing that permitting a prisoner to receive treatment at a private hospital of their choosing could establish a precedent for other inmates. The government also contended that the order was issued without hearing a necessary party and violated the Pakistan Prison Rules, 1978.
