The family and political allies of imprisoned former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan have leveled serious accusations against the government, claiming authorities deliberately bypassed a Supreme Court order regarding his medical care. The Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) party has condemned the administration for what it describes as the blatant flouting of a judicial directive that mandated Khan be moved to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad for a medical examination.
The controversy centers on events that transpired on Thursday night. Khan’s sister, Dr. Uzma, and his personal physician, Dr. Faisal Sultan, were instructed via a phone call to report to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. Dr. Uzma recounted that they arrived at the facility between 8:00 and 8:30 p.m. and were directed to the office of a deputy superintendent identified as Sibtain. Shortly thereafter, Dr. Sultan was separated from her, and she was escorted by a female assistant sub-inspector to a vehicle.
Dr. Uzma stated that police personnel remained silent when questioned about the whereabouts of Dr. Sultan. She was subsequently transported to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad. Upon arrival, she questioned the deviation from the Supreme Court’s instruction to utilize Shifa International Hospital, only to be told by officials that the visit was specifically for a follow-up regarding an eye condition.
Describing the scene at PIMS as dark and disorienting, Dr. Uzma said she was led through the facility by a man using a mobile phone flashlight. She eventually reunited with her brother, who appeared surprised and shocked to see her after ten months of separation. During their brief meeting, she noted that Khan complained of the mental strain caused by his ongoing solitary confinement. An eye examination was later conducted by a team of doctors, including a Dr. Arif, whom she did not recognize.
Meanwhile, Dr. Faisal Sultan reported that he had been taken to Shifa International Hospital as originally planned. He waited for several hours, with security personnel repeatedly assuring him that Khan was en route. By approximately 4:15 to 4:30 a.m. on Friday, he was informed that the former prime minister would not be arriving and had likely already been returned to prison. He only learned of Dr. Uzma’s separate experience at PIMS after returning to Adiala Jail.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi expressed strong condemnation of the government’s actions, characterizing the move as a direct contempt of court. He argued that the administration had effectively discarded a decision made by three Supreme Court judges, warning that such actions force a crisis regarding the implementation of judicial rulings. Afridi confirmed that the PTI intends to file a formal contempt plea and rejected official claims that party supporters had gathered at Shifa International Hospital to disrupt security.
In response to the growing outcry, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar maintained that Khan had been returned to prison following a medical assessment that deemed him fit. Tarar defended the decision to use the public hospital, citing security concerns related to PTI supporters who had allegedly gathered or were moving toward the private facility. He insisted that Khan remained in good health throughout the process.
The incident drew significant media attention, with numerous journalists stationed outside Shifa International Hospital overnight following reports of the scheduled transfer. Despite the heavy security presence and the court’s prior instructions, the divergence in the transport of the former prime minister has ignited a fresh legal and political confrontation between the PTI and the government. The report also notes that then, after around 10 to 15 minutes, a female assistant sub-inspector took me to a car. The report also notes that judges across Pakistan now have to decide whether to get their decisions implemented or shut courts. The report also notes that he said he would be expediting his movement for the founder’s release, as Dr Uzma conveyed Imran Khan’s message to him. The report also notes that she said she assumed the office belonged to the head of a department at PIMS. The report also notes that and then they took me upstairs, we sat there for a while. The report also notes that but I was not familiar with any of them, there were two to three doctors there.
Source: Gulf Today
