Imran Khan's Sister Seeks Supreme Court Action Over Hospital Transfer Dispute

In a significant legal maneuver, Dr. Uzma Khan, the sister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, has filed a contempt petition with the Supreme Court of Pakistan. This action comes in response to what she describes as a blatant violation of the court's order dated August 18, which mandated the transfer of the former prime minister to a private hospital for medical assessment.

The petition, presented by Advocate Uzair Karamat Bhandari, accuses several high-ranking officials, including Islamabad Chief Commissioner Sohail Ashraf and Interior Secretary Ahmed Raza Sarwar, of deliberately disobeying the Supreme Court's directives. Uzma's petition argues for immediate action from the court to enforce the order for her brother's transfer to Shifa International Hospital.

On the morning following the court's directive, instead of being moved to Shifa International Hospital, Imran Khan was taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for a check-up. This unexpected decision was attributed to security concerns, as stated by Information Minister Attaullah Tarar. Following the medical examination at PIMS, Imran was returned to Adiala Jail, raising concerns and protests from PTI leadership and his family, who were present during the examination.

Uzma’s petition characterizes the actions of the named respondents as “wilful, deliberate and contumacious disobedience” of the court order, emphasizing that the directives were clear and unambiguous. It argues that the officials involved had a legal obligation to comply fully with the Supreme Court's instructions and that their failure to do so constitutes a serious infringement on judicial authority.

Moreover, the plea contends that the mere filing of a review petition by the chief commissioner does not alter the legal status of the court order, nor does it justify non-compliance. Uzma's petition calls for the Supreme Court to issue show-cause notices to the respondents and to impose appropriate sanctions for their conduct.

Imran Khan's hospital transfer saga has been fraught with controversy since the Supreme Court ordered his move for medical treatment. The court had specified that a multidisciplinary medical board should oversee his care, with the presence of his personal physician, Dr. Faisal Sultan, and his sister during the examination.

The government's response to the court's order included a review petition arguing that the directive was discriminatory and violated prison protocol. However, the Supreme Court dismissed this plea, citing procedural issues. Despite the arrangements made for Imran’s transfer to Shifa Hospital, the government’s decision to divert him to PIMS has led to accusations of undermining the judiciary.

Source: www.dawn.com