SC fixes Sept 16 hearing on Imran’s medical transfer plea

The Supreme Court has fixed September 16 for hearing a contempt petition filed by Uzma

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has fixed September 16 for hearing a contempt petition filed by Uzma Khanum, sister of PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan, over the alleged non-implementation of the court’s order regarding his medical treatment.

The petition was submitted after the government took Imran Khan to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) instead of shifting him to Shifa International Hospital, as directed by the Supreme Court in its August 18 order.

The court had also directed arrangements for regular meetings between Imran Khan and his family.

PTI had challenged the government’s decision and filed a contempt petition through Uzma Khanum. The petition was returned after the Supreme Court registrar raised certain objections. The party later resubmitted it after addressing the objections.

Speaking outside the Supreme Court, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan said the party wanted the matter to be heard at the earliest. He said the PTI founder’s health remained the party’s primary concern.

Gohar urged the authorities to facilitate meetings between Imran Khan and his family members. He maintained that the Supreme Court’s August 18 order had not been implemented in its original form.

Uzma Khanum also submitted an application seeking an early hearing. She expressed concern over what she described as a deterioration in Imran Khan’s health and argued that further delay could have serious consequences.

The application alleged that the government had failed to follow the Supreme Court’s directions. It maintained that if authorities required clarification about the order, they should have approached the court instead of taking a different course of action.

The government, meanwhile, has filed a review petition challenging the August 18 order. It has described the directive as discriminatory and sought its reconsideration.

Imran Khan was taken to PIMS on August 21 for a medical examination and was later returned to Adiala Jail after doctors declared him medically fit.

The government has maintained that security concerns prompted the decision to use PIMS instead of Shifa International Hospital. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the security situation involving PTI workers affected the planned transfer.

The Supreme Court had also declined an immediate hearing of petitions seeking contempt proceedings and review of its August 18 order. The government’s review petition is therefore expected to be heard according to the court’s schedule.

Gohar said PTI wanted Imran Khan’s sister, Dr Uzma, and his personal physician, Dr Faisal Sultan, to be included in the medical board. He also called for the medical tests recommended by Imran Khan’s doctors to be conducted.

The PTI chairman said the party was currently focusing on Imran Khan’s health rather than political matters. He described the issue as a humanitarian concern and urged the authorities to implement the Supreme Court’s directions.

Gohar also questioned the detention of Imran Khan’s physician, Dr Faisal Sultan, who was taken to Shifa International Hospital. He asked why the doctor was detained for several hours while Imran Khan was not transferred to the same facility.

He reiterated that a Supreme Court order should be followed unless the court itself modifies, reviews or suspends it.

Gohar said PTI also recognised the importance of security arrangements and did not want any violation of security protocols. However, he claimed the party had not been informed in advance that security concerns would prevent Imran Khan’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital.