Lahore, Aug 19 (PTI): Senior leaders of Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan’s political party on Wednesday criticised the federal government for filing to a petition at the Supreme Court seeking a review and recall of its order to shift the jailed politician to a private hospital.
The party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, accused the government of adopting “delaying tactics” instead of adhering to the top court’s order, which could bring relief to the 73-year-old former cricketer-turned-politician.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed that Khan 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.
The court also ordered the constitution of a medical board to assess the health of the former cricketer-turned-politician and treat him. It also granted him one weekly meeting with his family during his stay at the hospital.
The court directives 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.
On Wednesday, the Pakistan government filed a petition in the top court seeking a review and recall of its order, arguing that it was “discriminatory”.
The review petition called the order “in excess of jurisdiction” and therefore “liable to be reviewed”. It further argued that the order “suffers from errors of law floating on the surface of the record” and that the prison rules had escaped the apex court’s attention in its ruling.
Responding to the government’s move, Moonis Elahi, who is a senior leader in Khan’s political party, said in a post on X that the government is “obstructing” the implementation of the Supreme Court’s order. “The Supreme Court should take suo motu (on its own) notice and ensure the enforcement of its order.”
Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, the chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, said: “We strongly demand the immediate implementation of the Supreme Court’s order directing authorities to transfer incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad for urgent medical treatment.”
He urged the government to enforce the judicial order immediately “to lower political tensions”.
Sohail Afridi, the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a province where Khan’s party is in power, described the top court’s decision as “commendable” and expressed hope that it would be implemented as soon as possible.
