Supreme Court Disapproves PTI’s Request to Transfer Imran Khan to Hospital

The Supreme Court raised objections on Friday regarding a plea seeking Imran Khan’s transfer to a hospital. The application had been filed by PTI lawyer Sardar Latif Khosa, following government-facilitated follow-up treatment for Imran’s eye ailment.

PTI lawyers, including Naeem, appeared before Chief Justice Yahya Afridi on Friday, seeking the scheduling of their application. However, CJP Afridi informed them that the “application had been returned with objections a day earlier.” He stated, “Your petitions will remain pending until further orders.”

Khosa explained to CJP Afridi that PTI requested an early hearing, citing Imran’s recent medical check-up ordered by the court as evidence. Upon this explanation, CJP Afridi clarified that it was the government giving assurances for treatment rather than any order from the court.

“At this juncture, you should read the court’s decision again,” CJP Afridi advised, emphasizing that the health issue wasn’t pending before any court but rather a matter of government provision. “Please understand what I am saying,” he added, noting that Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan had known Khosa since 1992 and could empathize with his concerns.

Khosa insisted on the humanitarian grounds for the transfer request, which CJP Afridi upheld as having been conducted for similar reasons during Imran’s recent medical check-up. “Try to understand what I am saying,” Khosa urged, prompting Justice Bilal Hassan’s comment, “I have known you since 1992; I understand everything you are saying.”

CJP Afridi then directed Khosa to meet the Supreme Court registrar if he did not receive a copy of the objections. “If the SC registrar does not give you a copy of the objections, then come back with us,” CJP Afridi instructed.

Khosa questioned how no one informed them about the order issued yesterday. According to a source, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan had also met CJP Afridi and requested Imran’s transfer to a hospital on grounds of family and party health concerns.

However, Justice Afridi advised that SC would not interfere while Imran’s cases were pending before Islamabad High Court (IHC). As his eye ailment related to right central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) had garnered recent attention from both the public and party, Khan remained incarcerated at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail.

Dawn reported that PTI’s legal team had filed an application on behalf of Imran, naming the Islamabad district election commissioner as respondent. This plea requested that Imran be “immediately shifted to Shifa International Hospital for proper treatment by a retina specialist.” It also sought access to personal physicians Dr Faisal Sultan and Dr Aasim Yusuf.

Dr Asad Qureshi from Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) confirmed that Khan had been admitted on February 24, following government-facilitated medical attention. PTI had taken issue with the government’s secrecy surrounding the treatment.