Pakistan Supreme Court Rejects Early Hearing Request in Imran Khan Contempt Case
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Pakistan’s Supreme Court has again declined a request for an expedited hearing of a contempt petition concerning the medical treatment of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, leaving the case scheduled for September 16.
The application was filed by Imran’s sister, Dr Uzma Khan, who is seeking contempt proceedings over what she alleges was the government’s failure to comply fully with the Supreme Court’s August 18 directions concerning her brother’s medical examination and treatment.
Dr Uzma had requested that the contempt matter be listed urgently, preferably during the current or following week, citing concerns about the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder’s health. The court did not accept the request for an accelerated hearing.
The development does not mean the contempt petition itself has been dismissed. Only the request to bring forward the hearing has been declined. The substantive contempt allegations remain pending before the court.
What Did the Supreme Court Order on August 18?
A three-member Supreme Court bench comprising Justice Shahid Waheed, Justice Naeem Akhter Afghan and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim ordered on August 18 that Imran be shifted from Adiala Jail to Islamabad’s Shifa International Hospital within two days for medical examination and treatment.
The court also directed the authorities to arrange a specialised medical board comprising a physician, general surgeon, internal-medicine specialist, ophthalmologist and cardiologist.
Imran’s personal physician, Dr Faisal Sultan, and his sister Dr Uzma were to be allowed to remain associated with his examination and treatment.
The bench observed that available medical information prima facie indicated deterioration in Imran’s health and emphasised the state’s constitutional and legal responsibility to protect the health, life, dignity and security of people held in custody.
Imran Was Taken to PIMS Instead of Shifa
Despite the direction naming Shifa International Hospital, authorities took Imran to the government-run Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) during the night of August 20-21.
Two specialists from Shifa International participated in his eye examination, while other specialists at PIMS conducted additional medical examinations. Imran was subsequently returned to Adiala Jail.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said at the time that Imran had been taken to PIMS because of security concerns arising from the presence of PTI supporters around Shifa International Hospital and along the planned route. He said doctors had found the former prime minister medically fit.
PTI disputes the government’s position and argues that taking Imran to PIMS did not satisfy the Supreme Court’s specific directions.
That dispute is at the heart of the pending contempt proceedings.
PTI Alleges Four Court Directions Were Violated
The contempt petition alleges that authorities failed to comply with four components of the Supreme Court order: transferring Imran to Shifa International Hospital, constituting the prescribed medical board, having him examined by that board and ensuring the participation of Dr Faisal Sultan.
The petition asks the Supreme Court to initiate contempt proceedings, issue show-cause notices and require the respondents to appear before the court. It also seeks Imran’s transfer to Shifa for medical examination and treatment.
Among those named as respondents are senior federal and prison officials, as well as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and federal ministers.
Crucially, being named as a respondent in a contempt petition does not mean any individual has been found guilty of contempt. Whether there was deliberate non-compliance, and whether contempt proceedings or penalties are warranted, are questions for the Supreme Court to determine.
Second Push for an Earlier Hearing
The latest application followed earlier efforts to have the matter taken up urgently.
The Supreme Court registrar’s office had initially raised objections to the contempt petition, after which PTI addressed those objections and resubmitted it. The matter was ultimately fixed for September 16.
Dr Uzma argued in her early-hearing application that her brother’s health was deteriorating and that further delay could cause “irreparable loss.” She maintained that the August 18 directions remained binding unless modified or stayed by the Supreme Court.
The court has nevertheless kept the existing hearing date.
The main proceedings concerning Imran’s hospital transfer and the contempt petition are now expected to be taken up on September 16.
Government Has Defended Medical Examination
The federal government has challenged criticism surrounding Imran’s treatment.
Tarar said the former prime minister underwent examinations at PIMS by relevant specialists, including doctors associated with Shifa, before being returned to Adiala Jail.
The government has also sought review of the Supreme Court’s directions concerning treatment at a private hospital, arguing against aspects of the August 18 order. Previous requests for an expedited hearing of the review matter were also not accepted.
PTI, meanwhile, maintains that the existence of a review request did not permit the authorities to deviate from an operative court order unless the Supreme Court itself stayed or modified it.
That legal disagreement remains unresolved.
Imran’s Health at Centre of Court Proceedings
The broader Supreme Court proceedings involve not only hospital treatment but also Imran’s access to family members and lawyers.
The August 18 bench required the government to provide his complete medical record, including medical tests, reports, prescriptions, opinions and details of treatment administered since his arrest. It also sought information about meetings with family members and lawyers during the preceding three months.
PTI has repeatedly raised concerns about Imran’s health and access to independent medical treatment. His family has made similar claims publicly.
Government officials have rejected allegations that he has been denied appropriate medical care and point to the examinations conducted at PIMS.
The competing claims about his medical condition should therefore remain clearly attributed pending authoritative medical findings before the court.
