‘Imran could face Morsi’s fate,’ sister warns

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has expressed fears about his safety and allegedly told his sister that he could face a fate similar to that of former Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi, according to Dr Uzma Khan.

Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Uzma said she was deeply concerned about her brother’s physical and mental condition following his prolonged confinement in Adiala Jail. She claimed Imran had repeatedly complained about being kept in solitary confinement and said he believed he was being treated inhumanely.

According to Uzma, Imran told her that his concerns were not being properly heard by jail authorities. She said he had complained about the lack of human contact and believed that the isolation was affecting his health.

Uzma further claimed that a doctor who examined Imran on August 10 attributed his anxiety and high blood pressure to his prolonged solitary confinement. She also said newspapers and television access had only been provided to him for a limited period.

The PTI founder’s sister said she attempted to reassure him during their meeting, telling him that people across the country stood with him and that he should remain hopeful.

Dispute over hospital transfer

Uzma also provided details of the events surrounding Imran’s proposed transfer to Shifa International Hospital.

She said she reached Adiala Jail between 8pm and 8:30pm after being contacted by authorities. She waited there with Imran’s physician, Dr Faisal Sultan.

According to Uzma, they were later informed that Imran had been taken away, but she was not initially told where he had been taken.

She said she was subsequently taken in a vehicle accompanied by a security convoy. After travelling for some time, she was informed that they had reached the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).

Uzma said she reminded officials that the Supreme Court had ordered Imran’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital. She was reportedly told that he had instead been taken to PIMS for an eye examination.

When she eventually met her brother, Uzma said Imran appeared surprised to see her. She told him that he was expected to undergo a comprehensive medical examination at Shifa.

She said doctors at PIMS checked his blood pressure and examined his eyes.

Dr Faisal Sultan separately said he had been summoned and taken to Shifa International Hospital but was repeatedly given unclear responses when he asked when Imran would arrive. He said he eventually concluded that the PTI founder would not be brought to the hospital.

Government seeks review of Supreme Court order

The dispute intensified after the federal government approached the Supreme Court seeking a review of its August 18 order concerning Imran’s medical examination and proposed transfer to Shifa International Hospital.

The government had earlier filed a review petition, but it was returned after objections were raised by the Supreme Court registrar’s office. The government subsequently refiled the petition after addressing those objections.

In its revised plea, the government argued that the August 18 order had been issued beyond the court’s jurisdiction and contained errors of law that warranted reconsideration.

The government also relied on the Pakistan Prison Rules, 1978, arguing that the transfer of a convicted prisoner to a hospital is governed by a prescribed legal procedure. It referred specifically to Rule 197, which deals with the mechanism for transferring prisoners for medical treatment.

The government further invoked Article 10-A of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to a fair trial and due process. It argued that adequate notice and an opportunity of hearing should be provided to both sides.

The government therefore asked the apex court to review and recall its earlier order.

Government rejects allegations of non-compliance

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar defended the government’s position and rejected claims that the Supreme Court’s directive had been ignored.

In a statement posted on X, Tarar said Imran had been taken for a medical examination during the early hours of August 21 under appropriate security arrangements.

He said a team of doctors, including specialists in ophthalmology, cardiology and general medicine, examined Imran and declared him medically fit.

Tarar said Uzma remained present during the medical examination and treatment process. According to the minister, Imran was subsequently returned to Adiala Jail at around 5am.

In another statement, Tarar clarified that the examination was conducted at PIMS and that doctors from Shifa International Hospital were also present.

He attributed the decision to use PIMS to security concerns surrounding the route to and area around Shifa International Hospital, which he said had been created by PTI workers.

The minister maintained that the government had provided medical facilities to Imran in the past and would continue to do so whenever required.

Opposition accuses government of contempt

Opposition parties, however, strongly criticised the government’s handling of the matter.

Opposition leaders alleged that the Supreme Court’s order had not been implemented in the manner directed and questioned the circumstances under which Imran was separated from his sister and physician.

National Assembly Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai and Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas criticised the government’s decision and said those responsible should be held accountable.

Achakzai questioned the circumstances surrounding the events during the night and described the episode as evidence of wider political problems in the country.

Raja Nasir Abbas alleged that the government had effectively disregarded the Supreme Court’s decision by not transferring Imran to Shifa International Hospital as expected. He said the opposition would continue its legal and political struggle over the matter.

The opposition leaders also expressed concern about Imran’s health and called for his medical treatment to be conducted transparently.

Opposition alliance plans Supreme Court action

The opposition’s joint parliamentary party, operating under the Tehreek Tahaffuz Aiyeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) platform, also held a meeting at Parliament House.

The meeting was chaired by Achakzai and attended by Raja Nasir Abbas, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and other opposition lawmakers.

The participants discussed Imran’s health, the Supreme Court order, the country’s political situation and the opposition’s future parliamentary and public strategy.

A declaration issued after the meeting said the opposition was seriously concerned about what it described as the non-implementation of the Supreme Court’s directive.

The alliance decided to pursue a constitutional and legal course and approach the Supreme Court over the matter.

The opposition also reiterated its decision to hold a planned nationwide protest and long march on September 27. It said consultations would continue with other opposition parties to broaden participation in the campaign.

The alliance further agreed to intensify political and public mobilisation across the country, including Punjab.

Opposition leaders said they would continue their joint efforts for what they described as the protection of the Constitution, democracy, rule of law and parliamentary principles.

The meeting also endorsed efforts to expand the opposition alliance, welcoming Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and other opposition groups.