ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has dismissed speculation that incarcerated party founder Imran Khan could strike a deal, saying the former prime minister would not have remained behind bars for years if he were willing to compromise.
“Imran does not make deals,” Gohar told reporters outside the Supreme Court on Monday. He added that Imran had spent nearly three years in prison, which he said demonstrated that the PTI founder was not seeking any agreement.
Gohar also said Imran did not want to remain in hospital unnecessarily and was only seeking the medical examinations ordered by the Supreme Court.
His comments came as the PTI pursued legal action over the alleged non-compliance with the apex court’s directive regarding Imran’s transfer to a hospital.
The PTI chairman said he had gone to the Supreme Court to meet Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi, but the meeting could not take place because the chief justice was occupied.
Gohar said he and senior lawyer Latif Khosa subsequently met the Supreme Court registrar, who indicated that a bench could be formed to hear the party’s petition.
According to Gohar, the bench could also be constituted through an online procedure, and he expressed hope that the matter would be taken up by the court at the earliest.
The PTI filed a contempt petition on Saturday, accusing the authorities of disregarding the Supreme Court’s August 18 directive to transfer Imran from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital for medical assessment.
However, Imran was taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) during the night of August 20-21, where he underwent a medical examination before being returned to Adiala Jail.
The PTI contends that shifting Imran to PIMS instead of Shifa amounted to a violation of the Supreme Court’s order.
In its petition, the party requested contempt proceedings against those responsible, issuance of show-cause notices and orders requiring the concerned officials to appear before the court.
The petition also called for Imran’s immediate transfer to Shifa International Hospital and proposed the appointment of a judicial officer or local commission to monitor compliance with the court’s directions.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar have been named as respondents in the petition.
Meanwhile, Islamabad Chief Commissioner also approached the Supreme Court, seeking an early hearing of the government’s review petition against the August 18 order. The application requested the court to reconsider and withdraw or modify its directive concerning Imran’s transfer.
Gohar rejects reports of rift
Gohar rejected claims that the PTI was attempting to politicise Imran’s medical situation, saying the party remained concerned about its founder’s health.
He confirmed that he had held meetings with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi but declined to disclose details of their discussions.
The PTI chairman also denied reports that Imran had expressed dissatisfaction with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi during a meeting involving his sister, Dr Uzma Khan.
“I met the PTI founder’s sister, but she did not disclose much, as promised,” Gohar said, rejecting reports that Imran had voiced displeasure over Afridi.
Government defends PIMS examination
The government has rejected the PTI’s allegations and maintains that the Supreme Court’s instructions were followed.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Imran’s medical examination was carried out at PIMS with the participation of doctors from Shifa International Hospital.
He said security concerns prompted authorities to choose PIMS, citing the presence of PTI supporters on the route to Shifa and outside the hospital.
Tarar maintained that all requirements set by the Supreme Court had been fulfilled and described the PTI’s contempt petition as “baseless”.
He also accused the PTI and Imran’s family of creating security concerns by gathering supporters outside Shifa International Hospital.
