PTI Files Contempt Petition Over Failure to Transfer Imran Khan to Shifa Hospital
ISLAMABAD:Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) legal team has filed a contempt of court petition in the Supreme Court over the government’s failure to transfer former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital for medical treatment, despite the court’s orders.
The petition was filed on behalf of Imran Khan’s sister, Dr Uzma Khan.
Speaking to reporters outside the Supreme Court, Barrister Salman Akram Raja said the government and administration’s claims regarding security concerns and a possible public gathering outside the hospital were baseless.
He said a convoy had travelled from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital in the presence of Dr Faisal Sultan, adding that there were no obstacles along the route and no law-and-order issue had occurred. Despite this, he said, Imran Khan was not transferred to the hospital.
Raja said the petition submitted to the Supreme Court contains details of the entire matter as well as what he described as the government’s baseless response.
He expressed hope that the same bench that issued the original order regarding Imran Khan’s transfer would hear the contempt petition. He added that, under normal procedure, such petitions are scheduled for hearing during the early part of the following week, while constitution of a bench within an hour depends on the court’s special powers.
Raja said the Supreme Court had become the focus of public expectations and expressed hope that the judiciary would deliver a decision in accordance with the wishes of the people.
He alleged that failing to transfer Imran Khan despite the Supreme Court’s explicit order amounted to a serious conspiracy against the apex court, the public and the PTI founder.
Raja added that while the legal battle was being fought in the courts, PTI’s “real struggle” was on the streets, saying the party would mobilize public support across streets and squares ahead of its major protest scheduled for August 27.
