PTI rejects government review petition over Imran Khan hospital transfer

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has strongly criticised the federal government for challenging the Supreme

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has strongly criticised the federal government for challenging the Supreme Court’s order directing the transfer of party founder Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad.

The government filed a review petition before the Supreme Court on Wednesday, arguing that the order to move the incarcerated former prime minister to a private hospital went beyond the court’s jurisdiction. It maintained that the transfer of prisoners for medical treatment must follow procedures outlined in the Pakistan Prison Rules, 1978.

The government particularly referred to Rule 197, which governs the movement of prisoners outside jail for medical treatment.

PTI rejected the government’s position and accused federal ministers of turning a serious health matter into a political dispute. The party said Imran’s medical condition should be treated as a humanitarian and legal issue rather than a matter of political confrontation.

According to PTI, Imran remains in custody while his family members, lawyers and personal doctors have repeatedly raised concerns about his health. The party argued that the medical material presented before the Supreme Court had itself been submitted by the superintendent of Adiala Jail.

PTI said the Supreme Court subsequently ordered that Imran be shifted to Shifa International Hospital for a comprehensive medical examination. It also directed the formation of a specialist medical board and allowed his personal physicians to participate in the medical process.

The party questioned the government’s claim that Imran was already receiving satisfactory medical treatment inside Adiala Jail.

PTI leaders argued that if the authorities were confident about the treatment available at the prison, there should be no objection to an examination by independent specialists at the hospital.

The party also drew comparisons with former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s treatment while he was incarcerated. PTI leaders recalled that Sharif was provided medical treatment during his imprisonment and was later allowed to travel abroad for further care.

They accused the current government of applying different standards to Imran Khan and urged authorities to respect the Supreme Court’s decision.

PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja warned that failure to implement the court’s order could lead to contempt of court proceedings. He said the government remained bound by the ruling unless the Supreme Court accepted its review petition and changed or withdrew the original decision.

Other PTI leaders also condemned the government’s move.

PTI Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Sardar Abdul Qayyum Niazi described the review petition as an attempt to delay implementation of the court’s decision. He urged the government to immediately comply with the order and provide Imran with appropriate medical care in the presence of his personal doctors and family.

Former Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur also welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision. He said protecting Imran’s health and life was a fundamental responsibility of the state.

Former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser criticised statements by federal ministers supporting a review of the court order. He recalled the medical treatment provided to Nawaz Sharif during his imprisonment and questioned what he described as inconsistent treatment of political leaders.

Former federal minister Asad Umar also criticised the government’s position, arguing that the authorities appeared to be applying different standards to Imran Khan’s medical treatment and Nawaz Sharif’s earlier transfer abroad.

Opposition leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai also spoke in support of Imran’s right to medical treatment. He said even an ordinary prisoner was entitled to necessary healthcare and access to family members.

PTI leader Hammad Azhar accused the ruling PML-N of adopting a different approach toward Imran’s medical concerns compared with its own leaders when they were imprisoned.

Imran’s lawyer Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry said the government was still legally required to implement the Supreme Court’s order despite filing the review petition. He maintained that the decision would remain effective unless the court accepted the review and altered its earlier ruling.

Former information minister Fawad Chaudhry also condemned the government’s decision, alleging that the review petition could increase political tensions and put pressure on the judiciary.

The dispute follows the Supreme Court’s order issued after reports concerning Imran’s health, including concerns related to his blood pressure and vision. The court ordered his transfer to Shifa International and called for a specialist medical board to conduct a detailed assessment.

The PTI has welcomed the ruling as an important step toward protecting Imran’s health and legal rights. The party has also urged its supporters not to gather outside the hospital after the transfer, saying that maintaining a peaceful environment would be important for his treatment.

The government’s review petition has now placed the matter before the Supreme Court again, with the legal dispute focusing on the scope of judicial authority, prison procedures and Imran Khan’s access to specialised medical treatment.