Islamabad, August 20: The Supreme Court of Pakistan delivered a significant blow to the government on Thursday. The government had filed a review petition against a decision regarding Imran Khan, the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and former Prime Minister, who is currently imprisoned. The apex court returned the petition due to incomplete documentation.
The case involved the transfer of Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital. In its order dated August 18, the court had instructed the government to arrange for this transfer.
According to the prominent Pakistani daily Dawn, the registrar’s office of the Supreme Court cited incomplete documents as the reason for returning the petition. However, a source indicated that the government could refile the petition with the necessary amendments. An appeal against the registrar’s objections may also be possible.
In response to this development, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja claimed that the government withdrew its review petition following the court’s objections.
On the social media platform X, he stated, “There is no excuse for not complying with the Supreme Court’s order from August 18, and Imran Khan should be transferred to Shifa International Hospital immediately.”
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court had directed the government to move Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad within two days, where a multidisciplinary medical board would examine and treat him.
The three-member bench issued this interim order in response to petitions filed before the court, which sought Imran’s hospitalization, permission for his personal doctors and family members to visit him, and access to his medical records for his family.
The court also allowed Imran’s personal physician and his sister to remain involved in his treatment and instructed officials to ensure regular communication with his family.
However, on Wednesday, the government approached the Supreme Court, seeking a review and withdrawal of this order. The government argued that the order violated prison regulations and principles of natural justice, claiming it was discriminatory in Imran Khan’s case.
The petition stated that had the court considered this legal provision, it would not have issued an order to transfer the former Prime Minister from Adiala Jail to a private hospital in Islamabad.
This petition was filed by the Advocate General of Islamabad Capital Territory, Naveed Hayat Malik, on behalf of the Chief Commissioner.
Leave a Comment