Key Points
- Government vows to implement the Supreme Court’s directives “in letter and spirit.”
- Supreme Court orders Imran Khan’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital for a comprehensive medical examination.
- PTI assures the court it will not misuse the order for political purposes.
- Medical board to include specialists and Imran Khan’s personal physician, Dr Faisal Sultan.
- Weekly family meetings and telephone conversations with his sons ordered.
- No public gatherings or rallies allowed outside Shifa International Hospital.
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan government has vowed to comply with the Supreme Court’s directives to shift jailed Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan to a private hospital for a comprehensive medical examination.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the government to shift the former prime minister to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad within the next few days after his counsel presented arguments before the top court regarding his medical condition.
Reacting to the court’s order, Federal Minister Tariq Afzal Chaudhry said the government would implement the Supreme Court’s directives “in letter and spirit.”
Meanwhile, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan assured the court that the party would not misuse the order for political purposes.
The court directed that a medical board be constituted at Shifa International Hospital to conduct a comprehensive examination of Imran Khan.
The board will comprise a cardiologist, a general medicine specialist, an eye specialist and Khan’s personal physician, Dr Faisal Sultan. Dr Uzma Khan, Imran Khan’s sister and a petitioner in the case, will also be associated with the medical examination.
The directives were issued while the court was hearing several petitions seeking Imran Khan’s hospitalisation, access to his personal physicians and family members, and the provision of his medical details to his family.
The court directed that the expenses of Khan’s comprehensive medical examination would be borne by his family and attendants, as assured by the petitioner.
Restrictions on medical report
The Supreme Court imposed several conditions on the facility granted to Imran Khan. His family members, doctors and lawyers associated with the case were barred from sharing the medical board’s report with the media or the general public or using it for political purposes.
The court cautioned that the facility granted to Khan would be withdrawn immediately if any of the conditions were violated. It also said the government would be at liberty to approach the court through an appropriate application if it believed the facility was being misused.
Similarly, the petitioner’s side could approach the court if the government showed any reluctance to implement the order.
The court further directed Imran Khan’s party, family members and lawyers associated with the case not to arrange any public gathering or rally outside Shifa International Hospital.
Weekly family meetings ordered
The court also directed the jail authorities to ensure weekly meetings between Imran Khan and his family members. It ordered that telephone conversations between the former premier and his sons should also be facilitated. The court will resume hearing the part-heard case on September 16.
The PTI and the government have meanwhile remained engaged in a dispute over Imran Khan’s medical treatment. The government has accused the opposition party of lacking transparency regarding his treatment.
The PTI, meanwhile, has repeatedly demanded that Imran Khan be shifted to Shifa International Hospital, examined in the presence of his personal physicians, and allowed regular access to his family.
