ISLAMABAD: The federal government has filed a review petition before the Supreme Court challenging its directive to transfer incarcerated PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital for medical treatment.
The government has requested the apex court to recall its August 18 order, arguing that the decision did not adequately consider applicable jail regulations and was issued without hearing all relevant parties.
In its review petition, the government invoked Article 10-A of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to a fair trial. It maintained that notices had not been properly issued to the concerned parties and that they were not given sufficient opportunity to present their arguments before the order was passed.
The petition further contends that important questions concerning the maintainability of the proceedings were not fully examined and that the court effectively granted final relief at an interim stage.
SC had ordered hospital transfer
The Supreme Court had directed authorities to shift Imran Khan from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital within two days for a comprehensive medical examination and treatment.
A three-member bench headed by Justice Shahid Waheed, comprising Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, issued the order after hearing petitions concerning Khan’s medical treatment, access to doctors and meetings with family members.
The court ordered the formation of a medical board comprising relevant specialists and directed that all necessary tests be conducted at Shifa Hospital. Dr Faisal Sultan and Khan’s sister, Dr Uzma Khan, were also to be involved in the medical arrangements.
The court further permitted Khan to meet family members once a week and directed that his treatment expenses be borne by his family.
It also instructed Khan’s family and lawyers not to share his medical reports with the media and cautioned against any political activity surrounding his hospitalisation.
Govt raises security, legal concerns
During the earlier hearing, the federal government had opposed Khan’s transfer to the hospital. The additional attorney general told the court that the government had not even been issued a notice before the order was passed.
Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan had also raised concerns about security and the possibility of crowds gathering outside the hospital, noting that other patients should not be inconvenienced.
The court made the government’s objection part of the record and adjourned the matter until September 16.
Medical condition under scrutiny
The Supreme Court’s decision followed concerns over Khan’s health, particularly his eyesight and cardiovascular condition.
A medical report submitted by Adiala Jail authorities said Khan had experienced fluctuations in blood pressure, headaches, restlessness, palpitations and significant mental stress.
During an examination on August 1, 2026, his blood pressure was recorded at 140/100 mmHg, compared with 120/80 mmHg during an earlier examination in February.
The report recommended measures to reduce stress and anxiety, including longer meetings with his wife and access to suitable reading material. Doctors also recommended a CT coronary angiography for a more detailed assessment of his heart.
His medication for elevated blood pressure was also increased, with Narvasc 5mg prescribed once daily in the morning.
The jail report further stated that Khan’s eyesight had improved following treatment at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, with vision in his affected eye described as almost normal. PTI, however, has disputed the assessment and continued to seek treatment under the supervision of his personal doctors.
Court seeks complete medical record
The Supreme Court had also directed authorities to provide Khan’s complete medical record, details of his meetings with his sisters and information regarding his telephone conversations with his sons.
The bench questioned restrictions on family meetings, with Justice Waheed observing that allowing Khan’s sisters to meet him was a fundamental right rather than a concession.
Authorities informed the court that Khan’s sisters had met him 48 times over the past three years, prompting the bench to seek complete records of those visits.
PTI lawyer Uzair Bhandari had requested permission for Dr Uzma Khan and Dr Asim to meet the former premier and sought a comprehensive examination at Shifa International Hospital.
The federal government’s latest review petition will now seek reconsideration of the order directing Khan’s transfer, with the matter expected to be taken up by the Supreme Court in accordance with its further proceedings.
