PTI Seeks Swift Implementation of Court Order for Imran Khan’s Transfer to Shifa Hospital

Sheikh Waqas calls the government’s review petition a mere delaying tactic as PTI resubmit its contempt plea, seeking urgent implementation of the Supreme Court’s August 18 order on Imran Khan’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital, medical treatment, and family meetings.

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has resubmitted its contempt of court petition before the Supreme Court (SC) against alleged violation of its August 18 order directing the transfer of PTI founder and former premier Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital.

The party has sought an urgent hearing and immediate implementation of the court’s directions concerning his medical treatment, transfer and family meetings.

PTI Central Information Secretary (CIS) Sheikh Waqas Akram, in a statement on Tuesday, said, “PTI has urged the apex court to ensure compliance with its earlier orders and hold the concerned authorities accountable for any failure to implement them.”

He said the party had specifically sought Imran Khan’s immediate transfer to Shifa International Hospital, with the involvement of Dr Faisal Sultan, the constitution of a formal medical board and restoration of his weekly family meetings.

PTI CIS said the government’s filing of a review petition was nothing more than a delaying tactic. He said the party had, therefore, requested the top court to fix the contempt petition for an urgent hearing to protect judicial authority, constitutional rights and the rule of law.

He stated that the government had attempted to circumvent the SC’s directions by transferring Imran Khan to PIMS Hospital, in clear defiance of the court’s specific directions regarding his treatment. Waqas contended that denying him access to an independent medical facility, personal physicians and a properly constituted medical board amounted to a violation of the court’s orders.

PTI CIS further criticised restrictions on family meetings and access to personal medical care, arguing that procedural justifications could not be used to undermine fundamental rights. He called upon the judiciary to ensure that all orders concerning the former prime minister were implemented in letter and spirit.

Commenting on medical treatment requests submitted by other prisoners at Adiala Jail, Waqas questioned whether such comparisons were being used to divert attention from the specific judicial directions concerning Imran Khan.

He also raised questions about the treatment of political prisoners and the principle of equality before the law, demanding that all prisoners be treated in accordance with constitutional safeguards and established legal procedures.

Waqas referred to the medical treatment previously provided to political figures, including former prime ministers Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari, while questioning why similar standards should not be available where medically and legally justified.

PTI CIS said the issue should be addressed through the consistent application of the law rather than political considerations, adding that constitutional rights and judicial directives must remain above partisan interests.

Talking about the joint declaration and parliamentary strategy adopted by opposition parties, he said PTI fully endorsed the outcome of the meeting, which brought together opposition leaders, including Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Balochistan Assembly opposition leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Senate opposition leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas Jafri and PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan.

PTI CIS described the meeting as an important step towards developing a broader and united democratic opposition front inside and outside Parliament.

He noted that PTI would continue working with democratic forces to uphold the Constitution, protect fundamental rights and oppose political victimisation, state coercion and restrictions on civil liberties.

However, Waqas stated that the opposition would oppose any unilateral administrative or constitutional attempt to carve out new provinces. He said the party endorsed the joint opposition’s stance against such measures, arguing that hasty or politically motivated changes to the provincial structure could undermine the spirit of the 18th Amendment, weaken Pakistan’s federal framework and generate further uncertainty and instability among the federating units.

PTI CIS said the economic difficulties facing ordinary citizens required responsible governance, transparency and effective policy measures rather than political distractions.

He demanded the immediate release of political prisoners, including Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Dr Yasmin Rashid, Mian Mahmood ur Rashid, Ijaz Chaudhry, Sarfraz Cheema and other political prisoners. Waqas made it clear that PTI would continue its struggle for constitutional supremacy, the rule of law and true democracy.