ISLAMABAD: Islamabad’s Chief Commissioner has moved the Supreme Court for an urgent hearing of a review petition challenging its August 18 order directing the transfer of PTI founder Imran Khan from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital for medical assessment and treatment.
The application seeks the early hearing of the review plea and asks the apex court to reconsider, modify and withdraw its earlier directives concerning Khan’s transfer, medical examination and treatment by a specially constituted medical board.
According to the application, the matter extends beyond the provision of medical facilities and raises important questions relating to legal and constitutional jurisdiction. It argues that issues arising after the 27th Constitutional Amendment, along with questions concerning Article 175(2) of the Constitution and relevant prison laws, require the court’s consideration.
The Chief Commissioner maintained that an immediate hearing was necessary as the Supreme Court’s August 18 order was time-bound.
Under that order, Adiala Jail authorities had been directed to shift Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital within two days for medical evaluation and treatment. The deadline expired on Wednesday.
The court had also ordered the formation of a medical board and allowed Khan’s sister, Dr Uzma Khan, and his personal physician to remain present during his medical examination and treatment. The expenses were to be borne by his family.
However, authorities took the PTI founder to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) on Thursday night, where he underwent a medical examination before being returned to Adiala Jail. PTI later described the move as a violation of the Supreme Court’s order and alleged contempt of court.
Separately, the government filed a review petition challenging the August 18 ruling, arguing that the Supreme Court had exceeded its jurisdiction in issuing the transfer order.
The petition maintained that a relevant statutory provision had not been considered, resulting in what it described as an error apparent on the face of the record. It argued that had the provision been taken into account, the order under review would not have been passed.
The government further stated that Khan had repeatedly received medical examinations and treatment from medical boards, arguing that expert medical opinion should have been obtained before a decision was made to transfer him to a private hospital on health grounds.
Government Says Imran Medically Fit
Federal Information Minister Atta Tarar later said that Imran Khan was in good health following a detailed medical examination.
In a social media post, Tarar said a team of qualified doctors, including an ophthalmologist, cardiologist and physician, had examined the former prime minister and declared him medically fit.
Meanwhile, PTI filed a contempt petition in the Supreme Court over the alleged non-compliance with its August 18 order.
The petition, filed by PTI Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja and lawyer Uzair Bhandari on behalf of Khan’s sister Dr Uzma, sought contempt proceedings against those allegedly responsible for violating the court’s directives.
PTI asked the court to issue show-cause notices, summon the respondents for personal appearances and declare them guilty of contempt in accordance with the law.
The party also sought the immediate transfer of Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital for a medical examination and requested the appointment of a judicial officer or the formation of a local commission to supervise implementation of the Supreme Court’s order.
