Islamabad: In a major setback for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government, Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Thursday rejected plea challenging the transfer
of former er Prime Minister Imran Khan to Shaukat Khanum International Hospital in Islamabad for a check-up from Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.
The government decided to withdraw its plea after the country’s top court raised objections. The government may look into the Supreme Court’s objections and may file the plea again. The cricketer-turned-politician has been in jail since 2023 and is facing multiple charges.
What Pakistan’s Supreme Court order said on Tuesday
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court had asked the authorities to transfer the 73-year-old leader to Islamabad hospital within 48 hours. had also said that the World Cup-winning captain would remain there till the next hearing on September 16. Apart from this, it also ordered a medical board to be set up for him. The top court also allowed Imran Khan weekly meetings with his family.
Pakistan Govt expresses disappointment with the SC order
Khan is the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf political party. Earlier on Wednesday, the government termed the order “discriminatory”. It felt that the order could set the precedent for convicts to seek similar treatment on health issues. Criticising the government, Moonis Elahi, a senior leader in Khan’s political party, said on X, “The Supreme Court should take suo motu (on its own) notice and ensure the enforcement of its order.”
PTI demands immediate implementation of the Supreme Court order
Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, the chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, added, “We strongly demand the immediate implementation of the Supreme Court’s order directing authorities to transfer incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad for urgent medical treatment.” He urged the government to enforce the judicial order immediately “to lower political tensions”.
