Government Disputes Supreme Court Ruling on Imran Khan's Hospital Transfer

The Pakistani government is contesting a Supreme Court directive that mandates the transfer of former Prime Minister Imran Khan from prison to a private hospital for medical care. The chief commissioner's office in Islamabad filed a review petition on Wednesday, a day after the court ordered Khan's relocation to Shifa International Hospital from Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail.

The Supreme Court instructed the creation of a medical board consisting of five specialists and permitted Khan's sister, Uzma, and his personal doctor, Faisal Sultan, to participate in his treatment. Additionally, the court authorized weekly family visits and bi-weekly phone calls with his sons residing in London, while prohibiting public discussions about his health until the next hearing on September 16.

In its petition, the government argued that the court bypassed legal protocols by issuing the transfer order without consulting prison officials first. They also expressed concern that such a precedent could lead other inmates to demand similar treatment.

Khan, who is 73, has been incarcerated since August 2023 following convictions his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), claims are politically charged. His health, particularly issues with his eyesight, has prompted multiple appeals from his family and party over the past year.

Despite the government's petition, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar accused the PTI of politicizing the health concerns of political opponents. However, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhary affirmed that the government would respect the court's decision, leading to contradictions within the government’s stance.

PTI leaders criticized the government's mixed messages, with Sheikh Waqas Akram highlighting the hypocrisy of the authorities' response to the court ruling.

Source: www.aljazeera.com