2 weeks ago
Pakistan Challenges Order Moving Imran Khan to Private Hospital
Imran Khan is a former prime minister of Pakistan who is in prison.
Pakistan’s Supreme Court said he should be moved to a private hospital in Islamabad.
The court also said he should receive care from doctors and have contact with his family.
The government disagreed and asked the court to change or cancel the order.
Officials said medical reports did not show that Khan needed emergency treatment.
Khan’s family and lawyers say they are worried about his health and eyesight.
His political party supports the court’s order and wants it followed quickly.
Khan’s sons, who live in London, have asked to speak with or visit him.
Reports describe the family-contact part of the order differently, saying either twice-weekly calls or one weekly meeting was required.
Pakistan’s government asked the Supreme Court to review and cancel its order moving Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad.
The court had ordered Khan’s transfer within two days after petitions raised concerns about his eye condition and medical care.
The government said the order lacked a sufficient medical and legal basis and could allow other prisoners to seek similar treatment.
Khan’s family, lawyers and PTI supporters say his health is worsening, including significant reported vision loss in his right eye.
The order also addressed family contact, with reports differing between twice-weekly phone calls and one weekly family meeting.
- Who
- The Pakistani government, the Supreme Court of Pakistan, jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, his family and lawyers, and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party.
- What
- The government challenged a Supreme Court order requiring Khan’s transfer to a private hospital and setting conditions for medical care and family contact.
- Where
- The dispute concerns Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi and Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan.
- When
- The Supreme Court issued its order on Tuesday, and the government filed its review petition on Wednesday, August 19.
- Why
- The government said the order was legally excessive, discriminatory and unsupported by evidence of an urgent medical condition; Khan’s family and supporters say he needs better healthcare and access to his sons.
Khan’s Family, Lawyers and Supporters
Pakistani Government
Hospital transfer
Khan’s Family, Lawyers and Supporters
Khan’s family, lawyers and PTI support moving him to a private hospital because they say he needs adequate medical care.
Pakistani Government
The government says transferring a convicted prisoner to a private hospital lacks a sufficient legal and medical basis.
Health condition
Khan’s Family, Lawyers and Supporters
Khan’s sons report concern about his deteriorating health, and his lawyers say he has lost significant vision in his right eye.
Pakistani Government
A jail medical report cited by the government said the affected eye had almost regained normal vision and did not show a need for immediate treatment.
Legal precedent
Khan’s Family, Lawyers and Supporters
PTI and Khan’s supporters say the Supreme Court’s order should be implemented fully and without delay.
Pakistani Government
The government says the order is discriminatory because it applies specifically to Khan and could prompt other prisoners to seek similar relief.
Family access
Khan’s Family, Lawyers and Supporters
Khan’s sons want regular calls and visas so they can visit their father, whom they say they have not seen since 2022.
Pakistani Government
The government’s broader review challenge contests the order’s conditions, which the reports describe as either twice-weekly calls or a weekly family meeting.
Key facts
- Prisoner
- Imran Khan, 73, has been held at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi since 2023.
- Proposed hospital
- Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad.
- Court deadline
- The Supreme Court directed that Khan be moved within two days.
- Government argument
- The government said the medical report showed no condition requiring immediate treatment and warned of a precedent for other prisoners.
- Reported medical findings
- A jail report said Khan’s affected eye had almost regained normal vision; it also recorded blood pressure of 140/80, a pulse of 54, a normal ECG and a clear chest.
- Family concerns
- Khan’s sons have raised concerns about his health, while his lawyers reported significant vision loss in his right eye.
- Family contact
- Reports variously describe the order as requiring twice-weekly calls with Khan’s sons or one weekly family meeting during his hospital stay.
- Political response
- Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf welcomed the order and called for its immediate implementation.
Quotes
Azam Nazeer Tarar
Pakistan’s Law Minister
“The order is discriminatory, applying only to Khan and not to prisoners in general, and it is in excess of jurisdiction. We believe moving Khan to a private hospital would set a precedent for all convicts to seek similar treatment. This order suffers from errors of law floating on the surface of the record, and prison rules have escaped the apex court’s attention in its ruling.”
theprint.in
“We hope the government adheres to the court orders...allows calls and issues our visas to Pakistan simply so we can come and see him”
theprint.in
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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