By Urdu Report Editorial Team
Pakistan’s government has filed a review petition before the Supreme Court challenging its order directing the transfer of former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital for medical treatment.
The Supreme Court had ordered the transfer on Tuesday, following longstanding demands from Imran Khan’s family and supporters, who have repeatedly expressed concerns about his eyesight and overall health.
The review petition was filed by the Chief Commissioner Islamabad through the Advocate General Islamabad. It argues that the Supreme Court’s interim order of August 18 directing Imran Khan’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital exceeded the court’s jurisdiction and should therefore be reconsidered.
What does the review petition say?
According to the petition, Imran Khan was sentenced to three years in prison by an Additional Sessions Judge on August 5, 2023. An appeal against the sentence was subsequently filed before the Islamabad High Court.
The petition maintains that in certain circumstances, approval from the government and action through the Inspector General of Prisons are required before a prisoner can be transferred to a hospital. It also states that a prisoner receiving treatment outside jail must remain under police supervision.
The government further argued that the matter came before the Supreme Court for the first time and that the relevant parties had not been formally issued notices.
The petition states that Imran Khan has previously received regular medical examinations and that medical boards have examined and treated him on several occasions.
It argues that the court should have sought the opinion of medical experts before deciding whether Imran Khan’s health condition had actually deteriorated to the extent that required his transfer to a private hospital.
Federal ministers accuse PTI of politicizing the matter
Following the filing of the review petition, Federal Information Minister Atta Tarar and Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry held a joint press conference and accused PTI of politicizing the court’s decision.
Atta Tarar said there was no ambiguity regarding the government’s petition.
“Whatever facilities prisoners are required to receive in jail will continue to be provided,” he said.
He added that the government had tried to keep politics out of the matter and noted that the court had also directed the parties not to politicize the issue.
“The court’s proceedings should remain separate from politics,” Tarar said.
Talal Chaudhry said the court had clearly directed that the matter should not be politicized and suggested that the direction had been issued because of PTI’s past conduct.
He also questioned who was politicizing the matter and linking it to an alleged NRO.
Commenting on Imran Khan’s recent medical report, Talal Chaudhry said that the reports of many young people in Pakistan were similar. He added that the court’s decision to allow the hospital transfer was positive because it would prevent anyone from using the issue as an excuse.
How long has Imran Khan been in prison and what are his health concerns?
Imran Khan, 73, has been in prison since August 2023. Earlier this year, he was diagnosed with a retinal condition in his right eye. His lawyers warned that the condition could potentially cause permanent damage to his eyesight.
PTI has repeatedly demanded that Imran Khan be treated at Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad by doctors of his choice.
The Supreme Court directed the relevant authorities to coordinate with the administration of Shifa International Hospital and establish a medical board to examine and treat Imran Khan.
The board is to include a physician, general surgeon, internal medicine specialist, ophthalmologist and cardiologist.
