Supreme Court Orders Weekly Family Meetings for Imran Khan, Hearing Adjourned Until September 16

Islamabad: The Supreme Court has ordered that former Prime Minister and PTI founder Imran Khan be allowed to meet his family once a week on a regular basis, emphasizing that meeting his sisters is their fundamental legal and moral right.

During the hearing of petitions concerning Imran Khan’s prison conditions, meetings with family members and medical treatment, Justice Shahid Waheed, who headed the three-member bench, expressed strong displeasure over arguments that visitors allegedly violated jail rules and later made political statements to the media.

Justice Shahid Waheed remarked that if visitors violate any rule or law, it does not mean the state should also violate the law. He observed that allowing Imran Khan’s sisters to meet their brother is not a favor but their basic legal and moral right.

The Supreme Court also ordered that Imran Khan remain at Shifa International Hospital until the next hearing, while further proceedings in the case were adjourned until September 16.

The court further directed the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) not to politicize Imran Khan’s health or medical treatment in any manner.

During the hearing, the federal government strongly objected to the decision to transfer Imran Khan to a private hospital. The Additional Attorney General argued that the government had not been formally issued notice in the matter and had not been given an opportunity to present its position. The Supreme Court heard the federal government’s objections and made its stance part of the formal order.

Earlier, a three-member Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Shahid Waheed heard petitions concerning Imran Khan’s meetings, prison conditions and a comprehensive medical examination at Shifa International Hospital.

The courtroom was packed with PTI parliamentarians, senior party leaders and workers. Usman Khan’s lawyer, Uzair Bhandari, assured the court that if Imran Khan’s sister Uzma Khan and Dr Faisal Sultan were allowed to meet him, they would not make any political statements after the meeting.

Bhandari argued that no one had accurate information about Imran Khan’s actual health condition and that access to him had been restricted. He referred to a recently submitted medical report, saying it indicated severe anxiety and other health concerns.

He requested that Uzma Khan and Dr Asim Yusuf be allowed to meet Imran Khan and that he undergo a detailed medical examination at Shifa International Hospital.

Justice Naeem Afghan stressed that one matter should be settled in advance: PTI must not engage in politics over the former premier’s health.

Justice Shahid Waheed also questioned the lawyer about what guarantee there was that visitors would not speak to the media after meeting Imran Khan. Bhandari replied that he was giving a formal assurance to the court on behalf of his client Uzma Khan.

The Supreme Court subsequently sought Imran Khan’s complete medical record to date. Justice Shahid Waheed observed that only a summary of the medical report had been submitted and directed that the complete record be produced before the court.