Uzma Khan asks the Supreme Court to hear her contempt petition this week or next week over Imran Khan’s transfer to PIMS instead of Shifa International Hospital.
ISLAMABAD – Web Desk: Uzma Khan, sister of incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, has approached the Supreme Court seeking an early hearing of her contempt petition concerning his hospital transfer.
The fresh application asks the top court to hear the petition during the current week or, alternatively, next week instead of the already scheduled September 16 hearing.
Uzma seeks urgent hearing
According to the petition, Uzma Khan has raised concerns about Imran Khan’s health and described the matter as extremely important.
She has alleged that the Supreme Court’s August 18 order was not implemented in its true spirit after Imran Khan was taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) instead of Shifa International Hospital.
The petition seeks implementation of the Supreme Court’s order directing the former prime minister’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital for medical examination and treatment.
Uzma has argued that continued non-compliance with a judicial directive amounts to an intentional violation of the law.
She has also asked the court not to allow its case-fixation policy to prevent an urgent hearing, citing the seriousness of the matter.
Contempt petition scheduled for September 16
The Supreme Court has currently fixed the contempt petition for September 16 before a three-member bench comprising Justice Shahid Waheed, Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Shakil Ahmed.
According to the application, the Supreme Court Registrar’s Office had earlier rejected an application seeking an urgent hearing on August 25.
Uzma has now requested that the case be brought forward and heard either this week or next week.
Imran Khan taken to PIMS
The Supreme Court had directed authorities on August 18 to transfer Imran Khan, who is incarcerated at Adiala Jail, to Shifa International Hospital for a medical examination.
However, he was instead taken to PIMS. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said doctors from Shifa International Hospital were also present at PIMS during the medical examination.
The change in hospital has become the central point of disagreement between the PTI and the government.
PTI has described the transfer to PIMS as a violation of the Supreme Court’s directions, while the government has defended the decision, saying it was based on security considerations.
Government review petition
The federal government had filed a review petition against the Supreme Court’s August 18 order a day after it was issued.
The petition was subsequently returned by the Registrar’s Office with objections, according to Geo News.
The Islamabad chief commissioner later filed another application seeking an early hearing of the government’s review petition.
Legal dispute remains before Supreme Court
The latest application adds another development to the ongoing legal dispute over Imran Khan’s medical treatment and hospital transfer.
The Supreme Court will ultimately determine whether the August 18 directions were complied with and whether the circumstances warrant contempt proceedings.
For now, Uzma Khan is seeking an earlier hearing, arguing that the matter should not remain pending until September 16 because of concerns surrounding Imran Khan’s health.
