Supreme Court Says Order to Shift Imran Khan to Shifa Hospital Still in Force

ISLAMABAD:The Supreme Court on Wednesday made it clear that its order directing the transfer of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital for medical treatment remains in force.

A three-member bench headed by Justice Shahid Waheed, comprising Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, was hearing contempt petitions concerning alleged non-compliance with the court’s earlier directions regarding Imran Khan’s medical treatment and hospital transfer. ([Pakistan Connect][1])

At the outset of the hearing, no representative or officer from the Punjab or federal government, or the Adiala Jail administration, appeared before the court. Expressing displeasure over the absence, the bench summoned Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan and briefly adjourned proceedings until his arrival. ([HUM News English][2])

After the hearing resumed, Additional Attorney General Rana Asad informed the bench that the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) had, a day earlier, ordered the complete record of the case to be produced before it.

The FCC had summoned the Supreme Court’s record concerning Imran Khan’s proposed transfer to Shifa International Hospital under Article 175-E of the Constitution, along with records of similar cases pending before the high courts. The development followed petitions by three Adiala Jail inmates seeking treatment at private hospitals on grounds similar to those cited in Khan’s case. ([Dawn][3])

During Wednesday’s proceedings, Justice Shahid Waheed raised questions regarding the constitutional jurisdiction of the two superior courts and asked whether the Supreme Court was bound to comply with an order of the Federal Constitutional Court.

The judge observed that while the FCC had jurisdiction to interpret the Constitution, questions concerning fundamental rights could arise in virtually every criminal case, including the right to a fair trial. He questioned the constitutional basis for the FCC calling for a case record that was already pending before the Supreme Court.

The bench also expressed concern over the implementation of its earlier order directing Imran Khan’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital. Justice Shahid Waheed said the issue of whether Khan should be treated at a government or private hospital could be kept aside and asked whether the remaining directions of the Supreme Court’s order were being implemented.

The court also raised questions regarding meetings between Imran Khan and his family and whether he had been allowed to speak with his sons by telephone. The Supreme Court’s earlier order had included directions concerning family meetings and telephone contact. ([Dunya News][4])

The bench further noted that the Adiala Jail administration had been summoned to appear personally before the court, but no officer attended. Justice Shahid Waheed questioned whether warrants should be issued against the jail superintendent over the non-compliance.

The Supreme Court reiterated that its order regarding Imran Khan’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital remains operative.

The hearing was subsequently adjourned for three weeks.

If you want, I can also turn this into a **short breaking-news version** suitable for a Pakistani news website or Facebook post.

[1]: https://thepakistanconnect.com/imran-khan-hospital-transfer-case-supreme-court-makes-key-remarks/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Imran Khan hospital transfer case in Supreme Court today”
[2]: https://humenglish.com/latest/no-govt-representative-appears-in-imran-khan-hospital-transfer-case-sc-summons-agp/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “No govt representative appears in Imran Khan hospital transfer case, SC summons AGP”
[3]: https://www.dawn.com/news/2030106?utm_source=chatgpt.com “FCC summons Supreme Court’s case records on Imran’s hospital transfer – Pakistan – DAWN.COM”
[4]: https://www.dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/968549-supreme-court-issues-sevenpage-detailed-order-on-imran-khans-medic?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Supreme Court issues seven-page detailed order on Imran Khan’s medical treatment, facilities | Dunya News”