PTI Seeks Court Intervention Over Imran Khan’s Hospital Transfer
ISLAMABAD — August 25, 2026 — A sharp legal and political clash has erupted between opposition leadership and the federal government following the late-night medical evaluation of incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has resubmitted its formal contempt of court petition after rectifying initial procedural objections raised by the Supreme Court registrar.
The Supreme Court Mandate
The controversy stems from an order issued by a bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan addressing persistent health concerns raised by Imran Khan's family and defense counsel.
Following petitions regarding fluctuating blood pressure and restricted access to independent medical professionals, the apex court instructed law enforcement authorities to temporarily shift Khan from Central Jail Rawalpindi (Adiala Jail) to Shifa International Hospital—a private tertiary care facility in Islamabad—for a comprehensive health assessment.
Midnight Operation and Facility Substitution
Instead of executing the move to Shifa International Hospital as directed by the top court, security personnel escorted Khan past midnight to the government-run Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).
At PIMS, a state-appointed medical board consisting of specialists conducted a brief examination. Before daybreak, authorities returned Khan under heavy security escort to his cell at Adiala Jail. The federal government defended the substitution in court, arguing that transferring high-profile inmates to private hospitals creates security risks and sets a precedent for similar requests from other prisoners.
Divergent Stances: State Defense vs. Contempt Allegations
The handling of the transfer has drawn contrasting responses from both sides of the political aisle:
The Government's Position: Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar maintained that Khan received thorough medical attention and was officially declared medically fit. The government filed a review petition against the court order, contending that state facilities are fully equipped for prisoner healthcare.
PTI Legal & Political Response: PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and party leadership decried the rerouting as a deliberate defiance of judicial orders. PTI's legal team emphasized that bypassing the court-designated facility and excluding Khan's personal medical team forms the core basis of their resubmitted contempt filing.
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