SC orders Imran Khan’s transfer to Shifa hospital for medical examination

The Supreme Court has ordered the immediate transfer of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital for a thorough medical examination and treatment, according to Aaj News. The court directed that Imran be accompanied by his physician, Dr Faisal Sultan, and his sister, Dr Uzma Khan, who will cover all hospital expenses themselves.

Security measures will be in place for Imran's transfer and treatment at the hospital, with a dedicated medical board overseeing his care. He will remain at the hospital until the next hearing for a comprehensive medical examination and treatment.

During the hearing, Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan expressed concern for ordinary patients visiting the hospital, urging the maintenance of law and order and prohibiting any political activity or gatherings. PTI attorneys Salman Akram Raja and Shahid Khattak pledged that no political events would occur outside the hospital and that party workers would not be permitted to congregate there.

The court emphasized the need to prioritize Imran's health over political considerations, directing the immediate implementation of its orders and postponing further proceedings until September 16. Imran's lawyer, Uzair Bhandari, argued that Imran was isolated and denied permission for his sisters to visit him, requesting a complete medical examination and allowing his sister Uzma and Dr Asim to meet him. The lawyer assured the court that a government doctor's team recommended allowing meetings.

Justice Shahid Waheed questioned the control over the sisters' interactions with the media after meeting Imran, to which Bhandari assured the court that no media engagement would occur following the meeting, as authorized by Dr Uzma. The court requested Imran's complete medical record and details of his phone conversations with his children.

The Islamabad advocate general confirmed that meetings with Imran's sisters would not be permitted if the law was violated, noting that over 40 meetings had already taken place during the past three years.

The justices expressed dissatisfaction with the PTI's potential politicization of Imran's health concerns, ordering the court to receive the complete record of meetings between Imran and his sisters, and further directing the case.