Will Imran go abroad for treatment? Govt weighs options

Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry has said the government is bound to comply with the court’s orders regarding the treatment of former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan.

Speaking in the Senate, Chaudhry said the government would ensure that Imran Khan receives appropriate medical treatment in accordance with the directions issued by the Supreme Court.

He said that if Imran Khan could not be treated at a government hospital, the government would arrange his transfer to Shifa International Hospital for medical care. He also indicated that the possibility of allowing the PTI founder to travel abroad for treatment could be considered, depending on the circumstances and relevant decisions.

Chaudhry reiterated that the government had previously assured the Senate that it would implement the Supreme Court’s decision in letter and spirit. He said the government had approached the Supreme Court only to seek clarification about the scope of the order.

According to the minister, the government wanted to know whether the court’s decision regarding medical treatment applied specifically to one prisoner or whether it was intended to establish a broader principle for other prisoners as well.

The government is now facing a limited deadline to comply with the court’s order regarding Imran Khan’s transfer to a hospital. The development has increased political and legal pressure on the authorities, with PTI preparing to initiate contempt of court proceedings if the order is not implemented.

PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja has described Thursday as a decisive day. He said the government had withdrawn its review petition against the court’s direction and therefore had no option left except to arrange Imran Khan’s transfer to a hospital.

The controversy intensified after the Supreme Court registrar returned the government’s review petition against the order directing Imran Khan’s hospital transfer, citing objections.

Sources said the government could address the objections and file a fresh review petition before the Supreme Court on Thursday.

The dispute comes amid continuing political tensions between the government and PTI over Imran Khan’s detention and access to medical treatment.

The government’s latest position, however, indicates that it intends to follow the court’s directions concerning his medical care. Any decision regarding a transfer to a private hospital or treatment abroad would depend on the applicable legal requirements, medical recommendations and further decisions by the relevant authorities.