Pakistan’s PTI seeks contempt action over jailed Imran Khan’s hospital move

By Al Jazeera Staff and Reuters. Published On 22 Aug 202622 Aug 2026.

Key points

• Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Friday remarked Khan was examined at PIMS due to security risks at Shifa hospital.
• But Khan's PTI interprets the court order as requiring Khan to remain under medical supervision until at least mid-September.
• Khan's sister, Uzma Khan, who attended the examination at PIMS, remarked to journalists that while her brother is physically fit, he has been "repeatedly tortured in prison".
• PTI leaders remarked the incident will intensify pressure and boost preparations for a planned protest on September 27.
• He remarked the petition additionally calls for Khan's treatment at the private hospital ordered by the court.

In practice, the party of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has filed a contempt petition against the administration after authorities sent him to a state-run hospital instead of the private facility ordered by the top court, party office-holders noted.

"The petition seeks action against the prime minister, law minister, information minister" and other administration office-holders, Naeem Panjutha, a legal adviser for Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, noted on Saturday.

For context, a three-judge bench on Tuesday had directed the administration to transfer Khan from Adiala jail to the private Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad within two days for medical examination after worries were repeatedly raised regarding his deteriorating health.

Authorities instead took him to the state-run Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) on Friday for a brief check-up before returning him to jail, and did not provide him access to his personal physician. It the party additionally cites as a breach of court orders.

Authorities stated the medical evaluation did not find any matter requiring immediate care.

But Khan's PTI interprets the court order as requiring Khan to remain under medical supervision until at least mid-September. Khan's supporters had lined Islamabad's streets and rallied outside the hospital.

Khan, who remains highly popular in Pakistan, has been imprisoned since August 2023 on charges he remarked are politically motivated after a fallout with the country's military led to his removal from office.

His arrest led to nationwide protests, including the storming of military installations.

For now, pakistan's PTI seeks contempt action over jailed Imran Khan's hospital move remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.