Uzma seeks urgent hearing in Imran medical case

Dr Uzma Khan, sister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, has approached the Supreme

Dr Uzma Khan, sister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, has approached the Supreme Court for the second time seeking an early hearing of her contempt petition concerning the alleged non-implementation of the court’s order regarding Imran’s medical treatment.

In a fresh application filed on Thursday, Uzma requested the Supreme Court to hear the contempt matter during the current week or at the earliest possible date next week instead of September 16.

She warned that further delay could result in serious and irreparable harm to Imran Khan, particularly in view of concerns raised over his health and physical well-being.

The contempt petition relates to the Supreme Court’s August 18 order directing that Imran Khan be shifted from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad for medical examination and treatment. The court had also directed the authorities to facilitate weekly meetings between Imran and his family.

However, Imran was taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) on August 21 for a medical examination rather than being transferred to Shifa International Hospital. He was later returned to Adiala Jail after doctors declared him medically fit.

Uzma’s application maintains that the Supreme Court’s August 18 directions were clear and binding. It alleges that the respondents failed to implement the order in its intended form and describes the alleged non-compliance as serious because the matter concerns Imran’s fundamental rights, health and physical well-being.

The application also questioned why the contempt petition had been scheduled for September 16. Uzma asked the court to reconsider the date and take up the matter earlier, arguing that the circumstances warranted urgent judicial intervention.

She further argued that the Supreme Court’s case-fixation policy did not prevent the immediate hearing of the petition. According to the application, matters involving liberty and alleged non-compliance with court orders deserve priority, particularly where a person’s health and well-being are involved.

Uzma also referred to the Supreme Court’s August 18 order, which allows Imran’s family members to approach the court in case its directions regarding his medical treatment are not implemented.

The application stated that she had a strong prima facie case and that there would be no prejudice to the respondents if the matter was heard earlier. It argued that any potential harm from an early hearing would be limited, while delaying the proceedings could cause irreversible consequences.

The government has separately filed a review petition challenging the Supreme Court’s August 18 directive. The authorities have maintained that Imran was taken to PIMS instead of Shifa because of security concerns linked to PTI workers and the route leading to the private hospital.

The Supreme Court had earlier declined requests for an early hearing of both the contempt proceedings and the government’s review petition. The review case is therefore scheduled to proceed according to the court’s existing listing arrangements.