Islamabad High Court Orders Formation of New Medical Board for Imran Khan
Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ordered the formation of a new medical board to conduct a health check-up of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, while rejecting his family’s request to transfer him to Shifa International Hospital.
The court directed that Imran Khan’s family be kept informed about his medical status in accordance with jail rules, instructing that Medical Board member Dr. Nadeem Qureshi maintain contact with the family. The Chief Commissioner has been instructed to form the new medical board, which will include Dr. Arif and Dr. Nadeem Qureshi.
During the hearing, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir questioned why the matter was being made so complex if the jail superintendent already had the authority, noting that all other arrangements were in place but personal physicians were not included. He asked whether the state would assume responsibility if any harm came to Imran Khan. Advocate General Islamabad Ayaz Shaukat responded that the state is providing him with the best medical care and that his current health condition is satisfactory.
The court observed that if certain tests could be conducted within one or two hours, there was no reason why Imran Khan could not be taken to Shifa International Hospital. Justice Khadim Hussain Somroo noted that no medical report from the board was available in court and questioned whether a decision could rely solely on the jail superintendent’s statement.
Imran Khan’s lawyer, Salman Akram Raja, raised concerns that the family was not being properly informed about his health. The Additional Attorney General clarified that Imran Khan’s wife is kept informed, but discussions about notifying his sister were considered sensitive due to potential law-and-order concerns during any transfer.
The court’s decision aims to ensure a transparent medical evaluation while maintaining security and order.
