The federal government has filed a review petition challenging the Supreme Court’s decision regarding the transfer of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital for medical treatment.
In its petition, the government argued that allowing a prisoner to be transferred to a private hospital could disrupt the existing criminal justice and prison system. It maintained that other prisoners could also demand similar treatment and seek permission to receive medical care at hospitals of their choice.
The government further warned that if the Supreme Court order is not withdrawn, it could create a precedent for prisoners to seek special treatment outside established jail rules.
According to the review petition, the District Election Commissioner was also a party in the case, but the Supreme Court allegedly did not take this aspect into consideration during the proceedings.
Meanwhile, Imran Khan was transferred to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) hospital during the night of August 20-21 for a detailed medical examination. A team of doctors, including specialists in ophthalmology, cardiology and general medicine, examined him.
Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Imran Khan was declared medically fit after the examination. He said Imran Khan’s sister, Uzma Khan, was present during the medical examination.
Tarar said the medical examination was conducted in light of the Supreme Court’s decision and doctors from Shifa International Hospital were also present. He claimed that security concerns arose around the route to and outside Shifa Hospital due to the presence of PTI workers, following which Imran Khan was taken to PIMS instead.
After the medical examination was completed, Imran Khan was transferred back to Adiala Jail at around 5 a.m. on August 21.
The federal government maintained that Imran Khan has previously been provided with medical facilities and that he will continue to receive necessary medical treatment whenever required.