Islamabad: The Supreme Court has ordered the transfer of PTI founder Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital until the next hearing and directed authorities to constitute a medical board for his examination and treatment.
During the hearing of cases related to Imran Khan’s medical treatment and meetings with family members, the court ordered that the former prime minister be transferred to the hospital under strict security arrangements. It also directed authorities to ensure that law and order outside the hospital is not disturbed.
Justice Shahid Waheed questioned why Imran Khan’s complete medical record had not been provided, observing that the material submitted before the court contained only a summary of his medical reports.
The court directed authorities to submit his complete medical record before the next hearing, with Justice Waheed observing that once the record was presented before the court, it would no longer remain confidential.
Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan referred to the medical report, which recommended angiography, and asked whether the procedure could be performed inside the jail. The Islamabad Advocate General responded that it could be conducted at a hospital outside the prison.
Justice Waheed observed that, according to the medical reports, Imran Khan’s pulse and heart condition were not normal and that his vital organs had begun to be affected.
Meeting with sisters is a fundamental right, Supreme Court says
The court also questioned restrictions on meetings between Imran Khan and his sisters.
The Islamabad Advocate General said meetings would not be allowed if laws were violated. The court responded by questioning whether the state could also violate the law if someone else did so.
The bench observed that allowing Imran Khan to meet his sisters was not a favour but a fundamental right and questioned why directions issued by the Islamabad High Court were not being implemented.
The Advocate General informed the court that 48 meetings between Imran Khan and his sisters had been facilitated during the past three years.
The Supreme Court sought complete details of those meetings as well as records of telephone conversations between Imran Khan and his children.
PTI should not politicise Imran Khan’s health, Justice Naeem Afghan says
PTI lawyer Uzair Bhandari requested that Imran Khan’s sisters and doctors be allowed to meet him.
Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan observed that PTI should not politicise the former prime minister’s health.
Bhandari requested a comprehensive medical examination of Imran Khan at Shifa International Hospital.
Justice Shahid Waheed asked what guarantee could be provided that there would be no media talk after the meeting. The lawyer assured the court that Dr Uzma Khan and Dr Asim would not speak to the media after meeting Imran Khan.
The court was also requested to allow Dr Uzma Khan and Imran Khan’s personal physician Dr Asim Yousuf to meet him.
Court seeks details of Imran Khan’s cases and convictions
Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan directed authorities to provide complete details of all cases against Imran Khan.
The court sought information on how many cases he is currently facing as an under trial prisoner, how many cases have resulted in convictions and in how many cases his sentences have been suspended.
The Supreme Court also sought the complete record of Imran Khan’s meetings at Adiala Jail over the past three years and asked authorities to explain why the Islamabad High Court’s directions had not been followed.
The court further directed PTI and Imran Khan’s family to submit an undertaking that no media talk would be held after meetings related to his medical treatment.
Family meeting once a week ordered
During the proceedings, the court asked why Imran Khan specifically needed to be transferred to a private hospital and who would bear the expenses.
His lawyer informed the court that the expenses of treatment at the private hospital would be borne by PTI.
The court also sought assurances that Imran Khan’s medical reports would not be made public or used for political purposes.
Salman Akram Raja assured the court that the political party would not use the medical reports for political purposes, saying the matter would remain between the doctors and Imran Khan’s family.
The Supreme Court ordered that Dr Faisal Sultan and Dr Uzma Khan would accompany Imran Khan and also directed that he be allowed to meet family members once a week.
The court ruled that Imran Khan would remain at Shifa Hospital until the next hearing, while all expenses of treatment at the private hospital would be borne by PTI.
The Supreme Court ordered authorities to transfer Imran Khan to Shifa Hospital under strict security, constitute a medical board and ensure law and order around the hospital. The case was adjourned until September 16, with Adiala Jail officials also summoned for the next hearing.
