Pakistan Supreme Court returns plea on Imran Khan hospital transfer order

Pakistan's Supreme Court returned the government's review petition seeking changes to Imran Khan's hospital transfer order. The setback sharpened pressure on authorities as PTI threatened contempt proceedings over any further delay.Stock photo used for illustrationPakistan's Supreme Court on Thursday returned a review petition filed by the government seeking changes to its order to move jailed former prime minister Imran Khan to a private hospital for treatment. The move came after the court had directed that Khan be shifted to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad within two days.The government had first said it would implement the order, but later approached the apex court seeking a review and recall of it. Khan's party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, then warned that it would move a contempt of court petition on Friday if he was not admitted to hospital by 11.59 pm on Thursday.On Tuesday, the apex court directed that the 73-year-old PTI founder be taken to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad "within the next two days", and said he should remain there until the next hearing on September 16. A three-member bench headed by Justice Shahid Waheed issued the interim directions, and the deadline to shift Khan was to expire at midnight.According to reports, the court registrar's office returned the government's petition because the paper books were incomplete. Informed sources said the government was expected to file a fresh plea after making changes and removing the deficiencies. However, PTI Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja said the state withdrew the review petition after objections. "There is no excuse whatsoever for not complying with the SC order of Aug 18. Imran Khan sahib must be transferred to Shifa International Hospital forthwith. Today is the day," he said. Hours after the apex court returned the government's review petition, PTI repeated its warning. "The Supreme Court had ordered that Imran Khan must be shifted to Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, within two days (by Thursday midnight). However, the order has yet to be implemented. If he is not shifted by 11.59 pm tonight, the court itself can initiate contempt of court proceedings and rightly so," the party said in a statement."If the Supreme Court does not, PTI's legal team has prepared a petition that will be filed tomorrow morning," it said, adding that the top court's order is mandatory. The order followed months of concern raised by Khan's family and supporters over his health, along with repeated allegations that he was being denied adequate medical care. One of the main concerns was an eye condition. Khan was taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad several times in recent months for treatment after his ailment -- right central retinal vein occlusion -- came to light in late January. Since then, demands to move him to a private hospital have grown. His relatives and party colleagues have repeatedly alleged human rights violations and accused the authorities of restricting his access to proper medical care, family visits and legal counsel. With the review petition returned and the court's deadline nearing, the focus remained on whether the order to shift Khan to hospital would be carried out in time.With PTI Inputs- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Aug 20, 2026 18:38 IST