Imran Khan's sister seeks contempt over hospital transfer order breach

Uzma Khan has asked the Supreme Court to act against officials over her brother's hospital transfer. The petition sharpens a wider legal fight over compliance, custody rights and medical care.

In Short

• August 18 directions required treatment at Shifa International Hospital until September 16
• Authorities instead took the former premier to PIMS overnight, then back
• Government cited security concerns, saying Shifa specialists joined the eye examination

The sister of jailed former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan moved the Supreme Court on Saturday, accusing the government and senior officials of violating its order to shift him to a private hospital for medical examination and treatment. Uzma Khan has sought contempt proceedings over what she called the wilful breach of the court's August 18 order.

The Supreme Court had directed the authorities to move the 73-year-old from Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad within two days and said he should remain there until the next hearing on September 16. Instead, Khan was taken to the state-run Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad during the night of August 20-21 for examination and treatment, and was later sent back to Adiala Jail.

Khan's family and leaders of his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, have described the move as a violation of the Supreme Court order and challenged the action. In her petition, Uzma Khan urged the court to begin contempt proceedings against the respondents for their "wilful, deliberate and contumacious disobedience and violation" of the August 18 order.

The respondents named in the petition include Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and several senior government officials, including Adiala Jail Superintendent Sajid Baig. The petition said the court was being approached because of the "non-compliance and brazen violations" of its order by the respondents. "It is clear from the respondents' own admissions that the court directions contained in the August 18 order were violated," it said.

The petition said the failure to shift Khan to Shifa International Hospital "leaves no manner of doubt" that the respondents had consciously chosen to disregard and violate the order. It said their conduct undermined the authority of the Supreme Court and required the court's attention. It also asked the court to issue show-cause notices to the respondents, direct them to appear in person, award appropriate punishment and take all necessary steps to enforce its directions for Khan's medical examination.

The government has defended its decision to take Khan to PIMS instead of Shifa, citing security concerns. According to the hospital administration, two specialists from Shifa International Hospital took part in Khan's eye examination at PIMS, while PIMS specialists carried out his other medical tests.

Meanwhile, the government has also moved the Supreme Court seeking a review and recall of its order to shift Khan to a private hospital. It argued that the order was discriminatory because it applied only to Khan and could set a precedent for other prisoners seeking treatment at private hospitals.

The August 18 order came during the hearing of several identical petitions filed after concerns over Khan's health, especially an eye condition diagnosed earlier this year. Khan had been taken to PIMS several times after his right central retinal vein occlusion was detected in late January. A report submitted by jail authorities to the Supreme Court said his eye condition had improved significantly and that his vision was "almost normal".

Khan has been lodged in Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail since 2023 in connection with several cases. His supporters have continued to protest against his incarceration, while his relatives and party colleagues have repeatedly alleged human rights violations and said he was being denied adequate medical care, family visits and access to legal counsel. The government has rejected those allegations. The case now centres on whether the Supreme Court's order on Khan's medical treatment was followed and on the government's challenge to that direction.

With PTI Inputs

- Ends