Pakistan's top court returns govt's review petition seeking modification of its order on Imran Khan

ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: Pakistan's Supreme Court on Thursday returned a review petition filed by the administration seeking modification of its order to shift jailed former premier Imran Khan to a private hospital for treatment.

Key points

• The Supreme Court had ordered that Imran Khan must be shifted to Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, within two days (by Thursday midnight).
• Nevertheless, PTI Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja stated the state withdrew the review petition after objections.
• A three-member bench headed by Justice Shahid Waheed issued the interim directions and the deadline to shift Khan would expire at midnight.
• There is no excuse whatsoever for not complying with the SC order of Aug 18.
• The administration first unveiled it would implement the order but afterwards filed a petition in the apex court, seeking a review and recall of its order.

Notably, the apex court on Tuesday directed that 73-year-old Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder be taken to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad "within the next two days", and he shall remain there until the next hearing on September 16.

Meanwhile, the administration first unveiled it would implement the order but afterwards filed a petition in the apex court, seeking a review and recall of its order.

As reports indicate, the court's registrar's office returned the petition, citing incomplete paper books as the reason.

Meanwhile, the administration is anticipated to file a fresh plea after making changes and addressing the deficiencies, according to informed sources.

"There is no excuse whatsoever for not complying with the SC order of Aug 18. Imran Khan sahib must be transferred to Shifa International Hospital forthwith. Today is the day, " he remarked.

Meanwhile, a three-member bench headed by Justice Shahid Waheed issued the interim directions and the deadline to shift Khan would expire at midnight.

Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan meets wife, sister at Adiala jail after nine months Khan's party has threatened to file a contempt of court petition against the administration on Friday if he is not admitted to hospital by Thursday 11.59 pm.

For context, the party's warning came hours after the apex court returned the government's review petition.

Notably, the court order followed months of concern raised by Khan's family and supporters over his health, and repeated allegations of being denied access to adequate medical care.

"The Supreme Court had ordered that Imran Khan must be shifted to Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, within two days (by Thursday midnight). Nevertheless, the order has yet to be implemented. If he is not shifted by 11.59 pm tonight, the court itself can initiate contempt of court proceedings and rightly so, " the party remarked in an official note.

"If the Supreme Court does not, PTI's legal team has prepared a petition that will be filed tomorrow morning, " it remarked, adding that the top court's order is mandatory.

One of the main reservations in Khan's case was an eye condition. The former cricketer-turned-politician was taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad for eye treatment multiple times over the last few months after his ailment — right central retinal vein occlusion — came to light in late January.

Demands to move him to a private hospital intensified since then. 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.

In short, pakistan' s top court returns govt' s review petition seeking modification of its order is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.