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

Party launches legal action after authorities take former prime minister to ⁠state-run hospital for brief check-up ⁠before returning him to jail.

The party of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has filed a contempt petition against the government after authorities sent him to a state-run hospital instead of the private facility ordered by the top court, party officials said.

“The petition seeks action against the prime minister, law minister, information minister” and other government officials, Naeem Panjutha, a legal adviser for Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, said on Saturday.

He said the petition also calls for Khan’s treatment at the private hospital ordered by the court.

A three-judge bench on Tuesday had directed the government to transfer Khan from Adiala jail to the private Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad within two days for medical examination after concerns were repeatedly raised about his deteriorating health.

Officials 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 give him access to his personal physician, which the party also cites as a breach of court orders.

The government said the medical evaluation did not find any issue 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 said 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.

Khan’s sister, Uzma Khan, who attended the examination at PIMS, told reporters that while her brother is physically fit, he has been “repeatedly tortured in prison”.

Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Friday said Khan was examined at PIMS due to security risks at Shifa hospital.

PTI leaders said the incident will intensify pressure and boost preparations for a planned protest on September 27.