Pakistan govt moves SC against order to shift jailed Imran Khan to private hospital

Pakistan's government has sought a review of the Supreme Court order to move Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital. The plea came a day after the court asked Adiala Jail authorities to arrange the transfer within two days.Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan (File Photo: ITG)The Pakistan government has filed a review petition challenging the Supreme Court’s order directing authorities to shift jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital for medical assessment and treatment. According to Geo TV, the petition was filed by Islamabad Chief Commissioner through the Advocate General for the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), a day after the Supreme Court directed Adiala Jail authorities to transfer the 73-year-old former prime minister to the private hospital within two days.In its review petition, the federal government argued that the Supreme Court’s August 18 interim order went beyond its jurisdiction and should be reconsidered.The government said Khan had been sentenced to three years in prison by an Additional Sessions Judge on August 5, 2023. He subsequently challenged the conviction in the Islamabad High Court (IHC), where his request to be shifted to Shifa International Hospital for treatment was rejected on March 12. He then approached the Supreme Court.The government argued that the transfer of a prisoner to a hospital is governed by specific procedures and, in certain cases, requires approval from the government and action by the Inspector General of Prisons. PRISON RULES CITED IN REVIEW PLEAThe petition referred to Rule 197 of the Pakistan Prison Rules, 1978, which lays down the procedure for transferring prisoners from jail to hospital. It also said that prisoners moved to hospitals must remain under police supervision. The government further invoked Article 10-A of Pakistan’s Constitution, which guarantees the right to a fair trial and due process.The federal government claimed that the matter had come before the Supreme Court for the first time and that notices had not been issued to the relevant parties before the interim order was passed. It also argued that Khan had undergone regular medical examinations in the past and had received treatment from medical boards on several occasions. The government said the Supreme Court should have sought the opinion of medical experts before ordering his transfer on health grounds.SUPREME COURT ORDER ON IMRAN KHAN'S TRANSFERIn its order issued on Tuesday, the Supreme Court directed the authorities to constitute a medical board to assess and treat Khan. The court also directed that Imran Khan’s personal physician, Dr Faisal Sultan, and his sister, Dr Uzma Khan, be associated with his medical assessment and treatment. The expenses for his treatment are to be borne by his family.Authorities were directed to make the necessary arrangements and transfer the former prime minister to the hospital under tight security. The court also warned that any violation of its directions could lead to the withdrawal of facilities currently being provided to the PTI founder.IMRAN KHAN HAS BEEN IN JAIL SINCE 2023Khan has remained behind bars since August 2023 after being convicted in multiple cases, which he and his party have described as politically motivated.The former prime minister, who was removed from office in April 2022 following a no-confidence vote, has since faced several legal cases.Following Tuesday’s Supreme Court ruling, the PTI welcomed the decision and appealed to party workers not to gather outside the hospital where Khan is to be treated.- EndsPublished By: Priyanka KumariPublished On: Aug 19, 2026 15:51 IST