Pakistan Government Accused of Defying Court Order on Imran Khan

The Government of Pakistan is accused of violating a Supreme Court order directing the transfer of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital for medical treatment. On August 21, Khan was returned to Adiala Jail after a medical examination in Islamabad. While the court had ordered his move to the private facility due to reports of severe anxiety and retinal vein occlusion, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated that Khan was instead taken to the government-run Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) because of security concerns regarding supporters gathered at Shifa International Hospital.

A medical board consisting of cardiology, general medicine, and ophthalmology specialists declared Khan medically fit. However, during a visit, Khan informed his sister, Dr. Uzma Khan, that he has been facing solitary confinement and torture. Dr. Uzma Khan reported that her brother claimed he had been treated unjustly for the past 10 months, though she noted he appeared physically fit during the encounter.

The government previously attempted to block the transfer via a review petition, describing the court's order as "discriminatory in nature," but the petition was returned due to procedural errors. In response, lawyer Khalid Yousaf Chadhry and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi announced plans to file a contempt of court petition, alleging the government is showing stubbornness by ignoring the judicial directive.