Supreme Court Orders Transfer of Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has ordered that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan be shifted to Shifa International Hospital until the next hearing and directed authorities to constitute a medical board for his treatment.

During the hearing of petitions concerning meetings with Imran Khan and his medical treatment, the court directed that he be transferred to the hospital under tight security and that law and order around the hospital must not be disrupted.

Justice Shahid Waheed questioned why the complete medical record of the PTI founder had not been provided to the court, observing that the material submitted so far consisted only of a summary of his medical reports.

The judge directed that Imran Khan’s complete medical record be submitted before the next hearing, observing that once the record is placed before the court, it would no longer remain confidential.

Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan referred to the medical report recommending an angiography and asked whether such a procedure could be performed in jail. The Advocate General for Islamabad replied that it could be carried out at a hospital outside the prison.

Justice Shahid Waheed observed that, according to the medical reports, Imran Khan’s pulse and heart condition were not normal and that his vital organs had reportedly started showing signs of impairment.

The court also sought details regarding meetings between Imran Khan and his sisters. The Advocate General for Islamabad informed the court that his sisters had met him 48 times over the past three years.

The Supreme Court directed the Adiala Jail authorities to submit a complete record of meetings with Imran Khan during the past three years, as well as details of telephone conversations between him and his children.

Justice Shahid Waheed remarked that meeting with his sisters was not a favour but a fundamental right. He also questioned why the directions issued by the Islamabad High Court were not being implemented.

PTI lawyer Uzair Bhandari requested that Imran Khan undergo a complete medical examination at Shifa International Hospital and that his sister, Dr Uzma Khan, and personal physician, Dr Asim Yousaf, be allowed to meet him.

The court questioned Dr Asim Yousaf’s medical specialization, with the lawyer stating that he was a gastroenterologist. The court observed that the medical reports did not indicate any gastrointestinal problem.

The Advocate General for Islamabad told the court that an undertaking not to speak to the media after meetings had allegedly been violated and that the matter was also pending before the Islamabad High Court.

Barrister Salman Akram Raja said that if the undertaking had been violated through media interaction, the undertaking had been given by him and other individuals should not be held responsible.

Justice Shahid Waheed observed that if contempt proceedings were initiated against officials, Salman Akram Raja could also face proceedings. The court directed the PTI and Imran Khan’s family to submit affidavits assuring that there would be no media interaction following meetings.

Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan remarked that the PTI should make it clear that there would be no politics over the health condition of its founder and that his treatment should not be politicized.

During the hearing, PTI lawyer Uzair Bhandari also raised the issue of Imran Khan’s reported blood clot, saying that the cause should be determined. He said that events of the past should not be repeated.

The court also sought complete details of the cases against Imran Khan. Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan directed the authorities to provide details of how many cases he is facing as an under-trial prisoner, how many cases have resulted in convictions and how many sentences have been suspended.

The Supreme Court further directed the Adiala Jail authorities to provide the record of all meetings with Imran Khan during the past three years and explain why the Islamabad High Court’s directions had not been followed.

The court ordered that Imran Khan be shifted to Shifa International Hospital until the next hearing, directed the formation of a medical board and ordered that he be transferred under tight security. It also directed that law and order around the hospital must not be affected.

The Supreme Court adjourned further proceedings until after the summer vacation and summoned Adiala Jail officials for the next hearing.