The Supreme Court in Islamabad has directed that PTI founder Imran Khan be granted access to specialist eye doctors and provided with telephone facilities to contact his sons. The court emphasized that access to medical care and communication with family members are fundamental rights of a prisoner and should be ensured without discrimination.
A two-member bench comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi and Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan heard the case, during which relevant reports were submitted before the court. According to the report, Imran Khan described the medical facilities provided to him in jail as unsatisfactory and requested access to specialist ophthalmologists.
During the hearing, the Attorney General informed the court that the government was prepared to facilitate access to eye specialists. The Chief Justice observed that since Imran Khan is in state custody, he and all other inmates must be provided with equal and adequate medical facilities. He clarified that the court does not intend to grant any extraordinary privileges, but rather ensure equal treatment for all prisoners.
The Chief Justice further noted that the reports submitted by the friend of the court and the jail superintendent were consistent. The court directed that a team of specialist doctors be constituted to conduct an eye examination and ordered that both measures be completed before February 16, stressing that health concerns are of utmost importance and require timely attention.
The Attorney General stated that providing medical facilities to prisoners is the responsibility of the state and assured that appropriate steps would be taken if any inmate expresses dissatisfaction. The Chief Justice also termed the issue of telephone contact with Khan’s sons as significant, stating that the court places trust in the government and has reserved its order in the original case.
Subsequently, the court directed the authorities to allow Imran Khan to establish telephone contact with his sons, Qasim and Suleman, enabling him to maintain communication with his family.
