SC Registrar Returns Imran Khan Hospital Transfer Contempt Plea

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court Registrar’s Office on Tuesday returned a contempt of court petition filed by Dr Uzma Khan, sister of jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, over his hospital transfer.

The Registrar’s Office returned the petition after raising objections. Sources said the petition did not include a list of allegations against the respondents.

Dr Uzma had filed the petition in the Supreme Court over the alleged violation of the court’s order directing the transfer of Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital.

The petition, filed on August 22, requested contempt proceedings against those allegedly responsible. It also sought show-cause notices and directions for the concerned officials to appear before the court.

PTI Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja and Uzair Bhandari filed the petition on behalf of Uzma.

In its August 18 order, the Supreme Court had directed authorities to transfer Imran Khan, who is incarcerated at Adiala Jail, to Shifa International Hospital for a medical examination.

However, Khan was taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), where doctors from Shifa International Hospital were also present, according to Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.

Imran Khan has remained in prison since August 2023 after facing several convictions, which he and his party describe as politically motivated. He has also faced multiple legal cases since his ouster in April 2022 following a no-confidence vote.

A day after the August 18 order, the federal government filed a review petition in the Supreme Court. The Registrar’s Office also returned that petition after raising objections.

The Islamabad chief commissioner later filed another petition seeking an early hearing of the government’s review petition.

The PTI criticised the government over Khan’s transfer to Pims instead of Shifa International Hospital, while the government defended the decision, saying it was made because of security concerns.

Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the decision to take Khan to Pims was made by the administration and had nothing to do with the Punjab government.

He said both Khan’s treatment and security were extremely important and the government knew that taking him to Pims instead of Shifa would create controversy.

“Imran’s security was the priority, which is why the decision was made,” he said.