Imran Khan party refiles contempt plea over hospital transfer order

PTI has asked the Supreme Court to act after Imran Khan was examined at PIMS instead of Shifa and returned to jail. The clash sharpens the legal and political fight over his medical care, custody and the court's authority.Pakistan's jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's party on Tuesday resubmitted a contempt petition in the Supreme Court, accusing the government of violating the court's August 18 order to shift him to a private hospital in Islamabad for treatment. The move came hours after the petition was returned with objections.The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf filed the petition through Uzma Khan, sister of the 73-year-old PTI founder. She has alleged that Khan was taken to the state-run Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences for an eye procedure and other diagnostic examinations on the night of August 20-21 instead of Shifa International Hospital, and was then sent back to Adiala Jail despite the court's direction that he remain admitted at the Islamabad hospital until the next hearing on September 16.The apex court returned Uzma's petition on technical grounds, but PTI lawyers said they addressed the concerns and objections raised by the court and filed it again. PTI chairman Gohar Khan said one of the objections was that the petitioner had not provided a list of charges levelled against the government. "We will file the petition again," he had said.In the petition, Uzma asked the top court to initiate contempt proceedings against the respondents for their "wilful, deliberate and contumacious disobedience and violation" of its order. The respondents include Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and several senior government officials, including Adiala Jail Superintendent Sajid Baig. The petition said the court was being approached because of the "non-compliance and brazen violations" of the Supreme Court's order. "It is clear from the respondents' own admissions that the court directions contained in the August 18 order were violated," it said. It added that the failure to shift Khan to Shifa International Hospital "leaves no manner of doubt" that the respondents had consciously chosen to disregard and violate the order, and said their conduct undermined the authority of the Supreme Court and warranted cognisance by the court. The government, however, defended its decision to take Khan to PIMS rather than Shifa, citing security concerns. According to the hospital administration, two specialists from Shifa International Hospital also took part in Khan's eye examination at PIMS. Meanwhile, the government has moved the Supreme Court seeking a review and recall of its order to shift the former cricketer-turned-politician to a private hospital, arguing that the order was discriminatory because it applied only to Khan and could set a precedent for other prisoners to seek treatment at private hospitals.The court's order followed months of concern raised by Khan's family and supporters over his health, especially an eye condition diagnosed earlier this year. His supporters have continued to protest against his incarceration, while his relatives and party colleagues have repeatedly alleged human rights violations and accused the authorities of restricting his access to adequate medical care, family visits and legal counsel. The government has rejected those allegations. Khan was arrested on August 5, 2023, in a corruption case and has remained in custody since then at Adiala Jail on the outskirts of Rawalpindi. With PTI Inputs- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Aug 25, 2026 16:16 IST