Imran hospital transfer: SC 'rejects' Uzma Khan's plea for early hearing of contempt petition

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has rejected an application by Dr. Uzma Khan, sister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan, seeking an expedited hearing for her contempt of court petition. The legal action centers on the federal government's decision to transfer the incarcerated former prime minister to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad, rather than Shifa International Hospital as directed by the apex court.

Court sources confirmed that the application for an urgent hearing was deemed non-maintainable because the underlying contempt petition had already been fixed for a hearing on September 16. A three-member Supreme Court bench comprising Justice Shahid Waheed, Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan, and Justice Shakil Ahmed will hear the case on the scheduled date. Officials indicated that the court adheres strictly to a policy of fixing cases according to their standard order, pointing out that 94 other contempt petitions are currently pending before the bench.

Dr. Uzma Khan submitted the contempt plea on August 25 following her brother's medical evaluation at the state-run hospital. In her subsequent request for an immediate hearing, she argued that the former premier's health was deteriorating inside Adiala Jail and urged the court to treat his medical welfare as an urgent priority.

The ongoing controversy traces back to an August 18 directive from the Supreme Court ordering authorities to transport Imran Khan from Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital for a comprehensive medical examination. Instead, administration officials moved him to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences.

Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar defended the government's decision, explaining that medical specialists from Shifa International Hospital were present at the state facility during the examination. Government officials maintained that security considerations dictated the choice of venue. Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders condemned the action as a direct violation of explicit judicial orders.

Following the August 18 ruling, the federal government filed a review petition with the Supreme Court, which was initially returned by the registrar's office due to administrative objections. The Islamabad Chief Commissioner later filed a separate petition requesting an early hearing on the government's review application.

Imran Khan has remained imprisoned since August 2023 after being convicted in multiple legal cases. The former prime minister, who was ousted from power through a parliamentary no-confidence vote in April 2022, maintains that all charges against him and his political party are politically motivated.

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