ISLAMABAD: Dr Uzma Khan, sister of incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, has approached the Supreme Court seeking contempt proceedings against government officials.
This concerns the alleged violation of the court’s order directing the Imran Khan hospital transfer to Shifa International Hospital.
The contempt petition, filed through Advocate Uzair Karamat Bhandari on Saturday, also asks the Supreme Court to appoint a court officer or local commission to ensure that Imran Khan is shifted to Shifa International Hospital for medical examination in accordance with its August 18 order.
Islamabad Chief Commissioner (retired) Lieutenant Sohail Ashraf, Interior Secretary Ahmed Raza Sarwar, Punjab Inspector General of Prisons Mian Salik Jalal, Adiala Jail Superintendent Sajid Baig, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar have been named as respondents.
Imran taken to PIMS instead of Shifa
The petition was filed after authorities took Imran Khan to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in the early hours of Friday for a medical examination before returning him to Adiala Jail.
The development came despite the Supreme Court’s August 18 direction that the PTI founder be shifted to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad for examination and treatment by a multidisciplinary medical board.
The government later said security concerns had led to the change in arrangements.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the security situation allegedly created by PTI workers around the route to and outside Shifa International Hospital had prompted authorities to divert Imran Khan to another medical facility.
He said Imran Khan was examined by a team of doctors, including an ophthalmologist, cardiologist and physician, and was declared medically fit.
The PIMS administration later said two specialists from Shifa International Hospital participated in Imran Khan’s eye assessment, while other examinations were conducted by PIMS specialists.
Sister alleges deliberate violation of SC order
In her contempt petition, Dr Uzma Khan alleged that the respondents had deliberately and knowingly failed to comply with the Supreme Court’s August 18 directions.
The petition argues that the court’s directions were clear and required no further interpretation or clarification.
It further contends that the filing of a review petition by the Islamabad chief commissioner did not suspend or alter the legal effect of the Supreme Court’s order.
According to the petition, if the authorities believed that clarification or modification of the order was necessary because of security concerns, they should have approached the Supreme Court rather than deviating from the directions.
The plea alleges that the failure to transfer Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital amounted to deliberate disobedience and interference with the judicial process.
These allegations are contained in the contempt petition and have yet to be adjudicated by the Supreme Court.
Petition seeks show-cause notices
Dr Uzma has asked the Supreme Court to issue show-cause notices to the respondents and require them to appear personally before the court.
The petition also seeks appropriate punishment against those found responsible and requests directions for immediate implementation of the August 18 order concerning Imran Khan’s medical examination.
It further asks the court to appoint an officer or local commission to oversee compliance with its directions.
What did the Supreme Court order?
On August 18, a three-member Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Shahid Waheed and comprising Justices Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Ishtiaq Ibrahim directed the government to shift Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital within two days.
The order followed petitions seeking hospitalization for the former prime minister, access to his personal physicians and family members, and access to his medical records.
The court also directed that Dr Uzma Khan and Imran Khan’s personal physician, Dr Faisal Sultan, be present during his medical examination by the multidisciplinary board.
At the same time, the court directed Imran Khan’s family members, PTI members and lawyers not to disclose his health condition or medical reports publicly until the next hearing.
Internal Link: Link “Supreme Court’s August 18 order” to your earlier article covering the court’s direction to transfer Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital.
Government challenges hospital transfer order
The government subsequently filed a review petition challenging the Supreme Court’s direction to transfer Imran Khan to the private hospital.
The government argued that the order was discriminatory and inconsistent with prison rules and principles of natural justice.
The Supreme Court registrar’s office later returned the review petition over objections concerning the preparation of the petition, affidavit and accompanying paper books.
The government subsequently filed another review petition, with the Islamabad chief commissioner arguing that his office had a direct and legally protected interest in the matter.
Internal Link: Link “government filed a review petition” to your previous story about the government’s challenge to the Supreme Court order.
Imran’s medical examination
Imran Khan has previously been taken to PIMS for medical assessments following the emergence of an eye condition involving the right eye.
The latest examination included an assessment by ophthalmology specialists, with PIMS saying the clinical findings were considered alongside other investigations conducted at the hospital.
The dispute over his medical treatment has now moved to the Supreme Court through the contempt petition filed by his sister.
The court will determine whether the conduct alleged in the petition amounts to contempt and what further directions, if any, should be issued regarding implementation of its August 18 order.