Govt Challenges SC Order Over Imran Khan Hospital Shift

Islmabad – (Staff Reporter/Web Desk) – The govt challenges SC order that directed jail authorities to move PTI founder Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital. The review petition was filed on Wednesday by the Islamabad chief commissioner through the advocate general for Islamabad Capital Territory.

This step comes just one day after the Supreme Court asked Adiala jail officials to shift Imran Khan for medical checkup and treatment. The court gave a two-day deadline for this transfer to take place.

Imran Khan, 73, has stayed behind bars since August 2023. He and his party call the cases against him politically driven. His troubles began after he lost power through a no-confidence vote in April 2022.

A day earlier, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar had said the government would fight the court’s ruling. In the new petition, officials claim the top court’s order went beyond its legal limits and needs a fresh review.

The petition points out that Imran Khan got a three-year jail term from an Additional Sessions Judge back in August 2023. He later challenged this sentence in the Islamabad High Court, which turned down his hospital transfer request in March.

Chief Commissioner 1370 _ocred (1) by waqas jawaid

Government lawyers argue that moving a prisoner to a hospital needs proper approval and must follow set rules. They also mentioned that such prisoners should stay under police watch at all times.

Officials further said the court should have first asked medical experts before ordering the transfer. They claim Imran Khan has already had regular checkups and treatment from medical boards in the past.

Meanwhile, the earlier Supreme Court ruling also called for a medical board to check Imran Khan’s health. His personal doctor and Dr Uzma were told to stay present during this process, with his family covering all costs.

PTI has welcomed the court’s order and asked its workers to stay calm and avoid gathering near the hospital.