The Supreme Court on Monday declined a petition filed by Dr Uzma Khan, sister of imprisoned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, requesting an accelerated hearing of her contempt case. The petition alleges non-compliance with the court’s prior directive ordering Imran Khan’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital.
The contempt matter is set to be heard on September 16 by a three-judge bench consisting of Justice Shahid Waheed, Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan, and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim. The court’s registry, while dismissing Uzma Khan’s second plea for an early hearing, referenced the Supreme Court’s case-fixation policy, which stipulates that cases are addressed in the sequence they are filed.
It was noted that 94 criminal original petitions of a similar nature are currently pending before the Supreme Court, necessitating adherence to the established scheduling protocol. Uzma Khan had argued for an urgent hearing on the grounds that the petition pertains to Imran Khan’s health, life, dignity, and physical welfare, aiming to enforce the court’s August 18 order. She urged that the hearing be conducted within the current or following week, asserting that postponing it until September 16 was unjustifiable under the fixation rules.
This contempt petition arises from the Supreme Court’s August 18 ruling directing Imran Khan’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital within two days for a medical examination. Contrary to this, Imran Khan was taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for a check-up before being returned to prison.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar explained that the change was due to security concerns allegedly caused by PTI supporters along the route to and outside the hospital. The PTI, however, rejected this justification, accusing authorities of deliberately disregarding the Supreme Court’s order. This dispute led Uzma Khan to seek contempt proceedings against government officials responsible for executing the court’s directive.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court’s three-member bench is also scheduled to resume hearings on other pending issues related to Imran Khan’s health and family visitations on September 16.
Separately, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) dismissed a petition by prisoner Muhammad Ismail seeking permission to communicate by telephone with relatives abroad. IHC Judge Justice Muhammad Asif ruled that the petitioner failed to prove that the August 2 office order restricting such communication was unlawful or violated his fundamental rights.
The court clarified that if prison regulations allow the use of WhatsApp, video calls, or other communication methods, authorities may consider such requests. However, any approval would be subject to prison discipline, security protocols, and the Pakistan Prison Rules of 1978. This ruling places the decision on electronic or telephone communication with family members within the legal and prison regulatory framework rather than granting it as an automatic right.
These judicial developments occur amid ongoing legal debates concerning prisoners’ access to medical treatment, family visits, and communication privileges. The Supreme Court’s September 16 hearing will address the outstanding matters involving Imran Khan’s health and related issues.
