Government seeks review of Imran Khan hospital transfer order

According to sources, the government has filed a review petition challenging the court’s order regarding Khan’s transfer for medical treatment. A separate petition was also

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has approached the Supreme Court seeking a review of its decision concerning the transfer of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan to a hospital.

According to sources, the government has filed a review petition challenging the court’s order regarding Khan’s transfer for medical treatment. A separate petition was also submitted by the Islamabad Chief Commissioner after addressing objections previously raised by the Supreme Court Registrar’s Office.

Earlier, the government had sought a review of the Supreme Court’s directive to move Imran Khan to a hospital, but the petition was returned by the Registrar’s Office due to procedural objections.

The development follows the Supreme Court’s order on Wednesday directing that Imran Khan be shifted to Al-Shifa Hospital. However, during the night between Thursday and Friday, he was instead taken to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Hospital, where he underwent a medical examination before being transferred back to Adiala Jail.

The latest review petitions are expected to bring the matter back before the Supreme Court for further consideration.

Moreover, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan would not seek confrontation with the military if released from prison, senior party figure Zulfi Bukhari has said, signalling a possible shift in the party’s approach toward the country’s powerful establishment.

Speaking to Reuters, Bukhari said that if Khan were released, he would not take any action that could harm Pakistan. He described the former prime minister as a forgiving person and suggested that political grievances could be set aside in the broader interest of the country.

Bukhari said avoiding confrontation with the military leadership would require political restraint, arguing that personal grievances should not take precedence over national interests. His remarks came shortly after the Supreme Court ordered Khan’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital for medical treatment.

The comments represent one of the clearest indications in recent months that sections of the PTI leadership may be open to reducing tensions with the military establishment. Relations between Khan’s party and the military have remained deeply strained since his government was removed through a parliamentary no-confidence vote in 2022.

Bukhari described the Supreme Court ruling as a fresh source of hope and said PTI would respect the court’s directive preventing party workers and leaders from holding political activities outside the hospital. He also said there were currently no negotiations between the PTI and the military.

The PTI leader suggested that a conciliatory move by the army chief could help ease political tensions and lead to the release of political prisoners. However, analysts have cautioned that the views of PTI leaders outside prison may not necessarily reflect Khan’s own position.

Michael Kugelman, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, questioned whether the party leadership outside prison would be able to maintain a unified position in any future negotiations with the state while Khan remains incarcerated.

Despite the possibility of a softer political approach, Bukhari confirmed that PTI intends to proceed with a nationwide march toward Islamabad on September 27. He said the planned mobilisation would demand implementation of Khan’s court-ordered medical treatment, access to his family, doctors, lawyers and party leaders, faster proceedings in his legal cases and, ultimately, his release.

Bukhari, who is currently living in self-imposed exile in Dubai, said senior PTI figures who have remained out of public view could participate in or help organise the planned mobilisation.

Khan has faced several legal cases since leaving office, including cases involving state gifts, allegations related to attacks on military and state installations and a case concerning his marriage. He has denied wrongdoing, while most of his convictions have either been suspended or overturned, with legal proceedings still continuing in some matters.

With Khan still behind bars, the PTI now faces the challenge of balancing calls for political mobilisation with signals from some of its senior figures that reconciliation with the military establishment may be possible.