Contempt Plea Filed as Imran Khan's Hospitalization Order Ignored

Uzma Khan, the sister of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, has initiated legal action against the Pakistani government for allegedly flouting a Supreme Court directive regarding her brother's medical care. On August 22, 2026, she filed a contempt petition claiming that senior officials willfully disregarded the court's order to transfer Khan from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital for medical evaluation.

The Supreme Court had issued a clear directive on August 18, demanding that the 73-year-old Khan be moved within two days and remain at the private facility until the next hearing set for September 16. Instead, he was taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) overnight on August 20-21, only to be returned to jail shortly after.

Uzma's petition cites Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar among those responsible for this alleged breach of court order. She argues that their actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for the authority of the Supreme Court, and she is calling for the court to hold these officials accountable.

In a strong assertion, the petition states that the failure to comply with the court's order not only undermines its authority but also establishes a pattern of non-compliance by the government. Uzma Khan is requesting that the court issue show-cause notices to the involved parties and impose appropriate sanctions for their actions.

While the government maintains that security concerns justified taking Khan to PIMS instead of Shifa, reports indicate that specialists from Shifa were involved in Khan's eye examination at the state-run facility. The government has also challenged the Supreme Court's order, arguing that it could set a precedent for other inmates seeking treatment at private hospitals.

Concerns regarding Imran Khan's health have been mounting, particularly after he was diagnosed with a serious eye condition earlier this year. His family and political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, have criticized the government for allegedly obstructing his access to adequate medical care, a claim that the authorities deny.

Source: www.thehindu.com