Supreme Court Orders Imran Khan’s Transfer to Shifa International Hospital

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has ordered that PTI founder Imran Khan be transferred to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad until the next hearing for a comprehensive medical examination.
The court directed that a medical board be constituted at the hospital and that Imran Khan be shifted under tight security. It also ordered that law and order outside the hospital must not be disrupted.

During the hearing of petitions concerning Imran Khan’s meetings and medical treatment, Justice Shahid Waheed questioned why the complete medical record of the PTI founder had not been provided. He observed that the material submitted to the court consisted only of a summary of the medical report.

Justice Shahid Waheed directed the authorities to submit Imran Khan’s complete medical record before the next hearing, observing that once the record was presented before the court, it would no longer remain confidential.

Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan pointed out that the medical report recommended an angiography and asked whether the procedure could be carried out in jail. The Islamabad Advocate General replied that it could be performed at an outside hospital.

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

The bench also questioned the authorities about meetings between Imran Khan and his sisters. The Islamabad Advocate General said that meetings would not be allowed if anyone violated the law. The court questioned whether the state would also violate the law in response, stressing that meetings between sisters and their brother were a fundamental right, not a favour.

The court also questioned why the Islamabad High Court’s directions regarding meetings were not being implemented.

The Islamabad Advocate General told the court that Imran Khan’s sisters had been allowed 48 meetings with him over the past three years. The Supreme Court sought complete details of those meetings and also ordered the authorities to provide a record of conversations between Imran Khan and his children.

PTI counsel Uzair Bhandari argued that Imran Khan should at least be allowed regular meetings with his sisters and that his sisters and doctors should be permitted to meet him.

Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan remarked that PTI should not politicise the health of its founder and that there should be no politics over his medical treatment.

Bhandari requested that Imran Khan undergo a comprehensive medical examination at Shifa International Hospital. Justice Shahid Waheed asked what guarantee there was that the visitors would not speak to the media after meeting him.

The lawyer assured the court, on behalf of Dr Uzma Khan, that Dr Uzma and Dr Asim Yusuf would not speak to the media after meeting Imran Khan.

The court was also told that the Islamabad High Court case regarding media statements was still pending. Barrister Salman Akram Raja argued that if any assurance had been violated through a media talk, the assurance had been given by him and others should not be held responsible.

Justice Shahid Waheed observed that if contempt proceedings were initiated against officials, Salman Akram Raja could also face proceedings.

Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan reiterated that PTI should agree that there would be no politics surrounding Imran Khan’s health or treatment.

Justice Shahid Waheed said PTI and Imran Khan’s family would have to submit affidavits assuring the court that there would be no media talk after meetings. During the hearing, the court also stopped Uzma Khan from speaking directly, telling her that her lawyer was present to represent her.

Uzair Bhandari further argued that the cause of Imran Khan’s blood clot should be determined, referring to the events of 1979 and saying that they did not want history to repeat itself.

The Supreme Court also sought complete details of Imran Khan’s cases. Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan directed the authorities to provide details of the cases in which Imran Khan is an under-trial prisoner, the cases in which he has been convicted, and those in which his sentences have been suspended.

The court also sought from Adiala Jail authorities a record of all meetings with Imran Khan over the past three years and asked why the Islamabad High Court’s order regarding meetings had not been implemented.

The hearing of the meeting-related petitions was adjourned until after the summer vacation, with Adiala Jail officials also summoned for the next hearing.

The Supreme Court reiterated its order that Imran Khan be transferred to Shifa International Hospital until the next hearing, with a medical board constituted for his examination and strict security arrangements during his transfer.