Islamabad, Aug 22: The sister of jailed former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan on Saturday filed a petition in the Supreme Court, accusing the government and senior officials of violating the top court’s order to shift him to a private hospital for medical examination and treatment.
Uzma Khan has sought contempt proceedings alleging wilful violation of the Supreme Court’s August 18 order.
The Supreme Court had directed authorities to shift 73-year-old Khan from Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad within two days and ordered that he remain there until the next hearing on September 16.
Instead, Khan was taken to the state-run Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad during the night of August 20-21 for medical examination and treatment before being returned to Adiala Jail.
Khan’s family and leaders of his political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, have termed the move a violation of the Supreme Court order and challenged the official action.
In her petition, Uzma Khan urged the top court to initiate contempt proceedings against the respondents for their “wilful, deliberate and contumacious disobedience and violation” of the August 18 order.
The respondents include Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and several senior government officials, including Adiala Jail Superintendent Sajid Baig.
The petition contended that the court was being approached in light of the “non-compliance and brazen violations” of the Supreme Court’s order by the respondents. “It is clear from the respondents’ own admissions that the court directions contained in the August 18 order were violated,” it said.
It said the failure to shift Khan to Shifa International Hospital “leaves no manner of doubt” that the respondents had consciously chosen to disregard and violate the top court’s order. It also said the respondents’ conduct undermined the authority of the Supreme Court and warranted cognisance by the court.
The petition further requested the Supreme Court to issue show-cause notices to the respondents and direct them to appear personally. It also sought appropriate punishment against the respondents and asked the court to take all necessary steps to implement its directions for Khan’s medical examination.
The government, however, has defended its decision to take Khan to PIMS rather than Shifa, citing security concerns.
Two specialists from Shifa International Hospital also participated in Khan’s eye examination at PIMS, according to the hospital administration. They said that PIMS specialists conducted other medical examinations on Khan as well.
Meanwhile, the government has petitioned the Supreme Court seeking a review and recall of its order to shift the former cricketer-turned-politician to a private hospital, arguing that the order was discriminatory because it applied only to Khan and could set a precedent for other prisoners to seek treatment at private hospitals.
The Supreme Court’s order followed months of concern raised by Khan’s family and supporters over his health, particularly an eye condition diagnosed earlier this year. Khan was taken to PIMS several times after his right central retinal vein occlusion was detected in late January.
A report submitted by jail authorities to the Supreme Court said Khan’s eye condition had improved significantly and his vision was “almost normal”.
Khan has been in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail since 2023 in connection with several cases.
His supporters have continued to protest against his incarceration. His relatives and party colleagues have repeatedly alleged human rights violations and accused authorities of restricting his access to adequate medical care, family visits and legal counsel. The government has rejected such allegations.
The Supreme Court’s August 18 order was issued while it was hearing several identical petitions following Khan’s eye ailment. The petitioners had sought his transfer to a private hospital, saying they were not satisfied with the treatment he was receiving at government hospitals. (PTI)
