- PTI urges workers to fully respect top court’s directives.
- Hopes for provision of best medical facilities to former PM.
- Ruling on PTI founder vindicated govt’s position: minister.
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.
“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.
Separately, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhary said that the government would implement the court’s order in letter and spirit.
Speaking to Geo News, Chaudhary said that the ruling concerning the PTI founder vindicated the government’s position, adding that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had no authority to release a prisoner convicted by a court.
“Whether it was Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif or Hamza Shehbaz, their release came through the courts,” he said. “We have repeatedly maintained that decisions regarding [the former premier’s] release, health matters and other legal issues would be made by the judiciary.”
The minister said the government’s differences with the PTI founder were political rather than personal and added that it wished him good health.
“The PTI founder’s health has been, is and will remain the government’s responsibility,” he said, adding that the former prime minister had been provided the best possible medical facilities even without an appeal from his party.
