PTI files contempt petition over alleged non-compliance with Supreme Court order

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has filed a contempt of court petition in the Supreme Court over the alleged non-compliance with its order regarding the transfer of PTI founder Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital.

The petition states that the Supreme Court had ordered on August 18, 2026, that Imran Khan be shifted to Shifa International Hospital, but the order was not fully implemented. The PTI has urged the court to initiate contempt proceedings against those responsible for the alleged violation.

The petition seeks issuance of show-cause notices to the individuals responsible for non-compliance and their personal appearance before the court. It also requests that those found responsible be declared guilty of contempt of court and punished in accordance with the law.

The PTI has further requested the Supreme Court to immediately shift Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad and ensure his complete medical examination and necessary treatment there. According to the petition, the Supreme Court’s August 18 order specifically directed that the PTI founder be transferred to Shifa International Hospital.

A three-member Supreme Court bench had ordered on August 18 that Imran Khan be shifted to Shifa International Hospital within two days. The court had also directed the formation of a medical board comprising a physician, general surgeon, internal medicine specialist, ophthalmologist and cardiologist for his medical examination and treatment. The order stated that Imran Khan was to remain at the hospital until the next hearing of the case on September 16.

However, instead of Shifa International Hospital, Imran Khan was transferred to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), where he underwent a medical examination before being taken back to Adiala Jail.

The government has maintained that Imran Khan was taken to PIMS because of security concerns along the route to and around Shifa International Hospital. According to the government, a team of specialist doctors examined him at PIMS, while specialists from Shifa International Hospital were also involved in the medical process.

The PTI has rejected the government’s position, arguing that the Supreme Court’s order specifically required Imran Khan’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital. It contends that taking him to PIMS for a medical examination did not constitute full compliance with the court’s order.

The petition also asks the Supreme Court to appoint a judicial officer or constitute a local commission to ensure effective implementation of its order and monitor the transfer, medical examination and treatment of Imran Khan.

The contempt petition has been filed by PTI lawyers Salman Akram Raja and Uzair Bhandari. According to reports, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and other relevant officials have also been made respondents in the petition.

The development comes amid an escalating dispute between the government and PTI over Imran Khan’s transfer to a hospital and compliance with the Supreme Court’s directives. The Supreme Court is scheduled to further hear the main case concerning Imran Khan’s hospital transfer on September 16, while the PTI has now sought action against those allegedly responsible for violating the court’s order and renewed its request for his immediate transfer to Shifa International Hospital.