Opposition, govt spar in Senate over Imran Khan’s medical treatment

The opposition and government clashed in the Senate on Tuesday over the medical treatment of Imran Khan, the former prime minister and founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. The Supreme Court ordered the government to transfer Khan to the Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad and form a medical board, including his sister and personal physician.

However, the government moved him to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) instead, citing security concerns, and later returned him to Adiala jail after a medical board deemed him fit.

The PTI and Khan's family have accused the government of not adhering to the court's directive to shift him to Shifa Hospital. During the Senate session chaired by PPP Senator Shahadat Awan, the opposition attempted to introduce a resolution on the implementation of the SC order but was denied. Instead, the Senate permitted a discussion on points of order.

The opposition accused the government of defying the Supreme Court's order, while the government maintained that the court had the final say on whether the verdict had been implemented.

PTI parliamentary leader Barrister Ali Zafar moved a resolution to uphold the "supremacy of the Constitution" and the government's obligation to implement SC orders. He cited the court's August 18 order directing the authorities to place Khan at Shifa International Hospital and form a medical board, alleging that neither was done at Pims.

Zafar emphasized the importance of respecting court decisions, stating that governments cannot refuse to implement Supreme Court orders and that politics should not be played with someone's health.

In response, government adviser Rana Sanaullah affirmed the state's compliance with the Constitution and the court's order. He explained that security arrangements were being assessed by the administration and that Khan was taken to a government hospital due to the law and order situation, where qualified doctors were available.

Sanaullah pointed out that a panel of doctors had examined Khan and declared his health satisfactory, leading to his return to jail. He questioned the opposition's intent to prove Khan's ill health, given that both his own doctors and family had stated he was in good health.

Opposition leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas called on the government to display magnanimity and implement the court order "in letter and spirit." He proposed forming a Senate committee to visit the jail and ensure compliance with the SC order. Abbas warned that politics and politicians were being suppressed, and urged everyone to avoid contempt of court.