ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Tuesday welcomed the Supreme Court’s order to transfer jailed party founder Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital for medical assessment and treatment, urging party workers to avoid gathering outside the medical facility.
In a post on X, the Khan-founded party called on workers to fully respect the top court’s directives, saying the appeal was being made in the interest of the former prime minister’s health and treatment.
The statement came soon after the Supreme Court ordered Adiala jail authorities to transfer Khan to Shifa International Hospital until September 16.
A three-member bench headed by Justice Shahid Waheed, comprising Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, issued the interim order after hearing petitions concerning the former prime minister’s medical treatment and meetings with his family members.
In today’s order, the court ordered the constitution of a medical board to assess and treat Khan. It also ordered that Dr Uzma and the former premier’s personal physician be present during his medical assessment and treatment, with his family to bear the expenses.
Authorities were directed to transfer the ex-premier to the hospital under tight security and complete the necessary arrangements within a few days.
The court, however, warned that any violation of its directions could result in the withdrawal of facilities being provided to the PTI founder.
Khan, 73, has remained in prison since August 2023 following convictions he and his party describe as politically motivated.
Since his ouster in April 2022 following a no-confidence vote, he has faced multiple legal cases, including allegations of state gifts and an unlawful marriage case.
The PTI said that the Supreme Court’s order had strengthened the fundamental demand for Khan to receive the best possible medical facilities.
“We consider this Supreme Court order an important step towards protecting Imran Khan’s fundamental right to health and human dignity,” the PTI said of today’s court order.
It also expressed hope that the relevant authorities would implement the court orders and ensure the provision of the best possible medical facilities to Khan.
The PTI said that the Supreme Court’s order had strengthened the fundamental demand for Khan to receive the best possible medical facilities.
Barrister Gohar urges govt to engage in dialogue
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said that the party would never politicise the health of its founder, adding that health-related reports would not be used for personal matters.
Speaking to reporters outside the Parliament House, he said that his party was also not in favour of politically eliminating anyone, adding that compliance with the top court’s order would pave the way forward.
Barrister Gohar also called for the resolution of former first lady Bushra Bibi’s health issues, saying she also had the right to be shifted to a hospital and receive medical facilities.
The PTI chief said that the implementation of court orders would help lower the country’s political temperature and urged the government to move towards dialogue instead of taking short steps.
“Measures should be taken to resolve political differences through dialogue,” he said, adding that statements that could raise the political temperature should be avoided.
He said the safety of the army, police and Rangers was every Pakistani’s foremost priority, adding that PTI did not want to expose the security institutions to any threat.
“There should be no compromise on terrorism,” Barrister Gohar said, adding that terrorism was condemnable wherever it occurred.
PTI Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja alleged that Khan was kept away from his personal physicians, saying his complete checkup would be conducted at Shifa International Hospital.
The court had ordered that the PTI founder be shifted to the hospital within two days and directed the formation of a board of specialist doctors, he said while speaking to the media outside the Supreme Court.
He said PTI had been asked to ensure that there was no crowd around the hospital. “We have assured the court that there will be no crowd outside the hospital.”
The PTI secretary-general said the medical report following Khan’s examination would remain limited to his family.
“There will be no politics over the PTI founder’s medical report,” he said, adding that Khan’s health was the priority.
