Imran Khan’s sister, Dr Uzma Khan, has filed a contempt petition in the Supreme Court, accusing government officials of deliberately violating the court’s Aug 18 order directing the PTI founder’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital.
Filed through Advocate Uzair Karamat Bhandari, the petition named Islamabad Chief Commissioner retired Lt Gen Sohail Ashraf, Interior Secretary Ahmed Raza Sarwar, Punjab Inspector General of Prisons Mian Salik Jalal, Adiala Jail Superintendent Sajid Baig, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar as respondents.
The petition asked the SC to initiate contempt proceedings and issue show-cause notices to the respondents. It also requested the court to appoint an officer or local commission to ensure Imran’s immediate transfer to Shifa International Hospital in compliance with its Aug 18 order.
Uzma argued that the court’s directions were “clear, unambiguous and unequivocal” and imposed a legal obligation on the respondents to comply with them.
She maintained that the filing of a review petition by the Islamabad chief commissioner did not suspend or alter the SC order and could not justify non-compliance.
According to the petition, if the government had concerns over security or sought clarification of the order, it should have approached the court rather than disregarding its directions.
The plea alleged that the respondents had “wilfully and deliberately” disobeyed the court order, undermined the authority of the judiciary and obstructed the judicial process.
It asked the SC to summon the respondents personally, impose appropriate punishment and direct immediate implementation of its Aug 18 directions regarding Imran’s medical examination.
The Supreme Court had on Aug 18 directed the government to shift Imran to Shifa International Hospital within two days for examination and treatment by a multidisciplinary medical board. It also ordered that Dr Uzma Khan and Imran’s personal physician, Dr Faisal Sultan, be present during the examination.
The government subsequently filed a review petition challenging the directive, but the SC returned it on Thursday over procedural objections.
Despite security arrangements at Shifa International Hospital, Imran was instead taken to PIMS for a medical check-up early Friday before being returned to Adiala Jail.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar attributed the change to security concerns allegedly caused by PTI workers around Shifa Hospital. He said Imran was examined by a team of doctors, including an ophthalmologist, cardiologist and physician, and was declared medically fit.
PIMS later said two Shifa specialists participated in Imran’s eye examination, while other tests were conducted by PIMS doctors.
Meanwhile, the government filed another review petition challenging the Aug 18 order, with the Islamabad chief commissioner arguing that the directive affected his office’s constitutional authority.
