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Federal Government Seeks Review of SC Order
The federal government on Wednesday filed a review petition in the Supreme Court challenging its August 18 interim order directing that former Prime Minister and PTI founder Imran Khan be shifted from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad for medical treatment . The petition was filed by the Islamabad Chief Commissioner through the Advocate General Islamabad .
The government has argued that the Supreme Court’s order exceeded its lawful jurisdiction and contains errors that warrant reconsideration . The petition contends that a relevant statutory provision had not been taken into account when the order was issued .
Government Cites Prison Rules and Jurisdictional Concerns
The review petition asserts that the court’s directive “exceeded its jurisdiction” and should be reviewed . The government maintains that the Pakistan Prison Rules, 1978, prescribe a clear legal procedure for transferring prisoners to hospitals outside jail premises . Specifically, Rule 197 requires government approval and action through the Inspector General of Prisons, with the prisoner remaining under police supervision .
The government also noted that Imran Khan had previously sought transfer to Shifa International Hospital under Section 561-A of the Criminal Procedure Code, but the Islamabad High Court had rejected the application on March 12, 2026 . This ruling was subsequently appealed before the Supreme Court .
Supreme Court’s Earlier Directions
On August 18, a three-member Supreme Court bench had directed that Imran Khan be shifted to Shifa International Hospital within two days under tight security, and ordered the constitution of a specialized medical board to assess and treat him . The court also directed that Dr. Faisal Sultan and Dr. Uzma Khan, the PTI founder’s sister, be allowed to participate in the medical examination and treatment .
The court further ordered weekly family meetings, twice-weekly telephone calls with his sons, and warned against politicizing his health or medical reports . The government was also ordered to submit Imran Khan’s complete medical record .
Government’s Position and Legal History
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar had earlier indicated that the government would challenge the decision to transfer Imran Khan to a private medical facility . The government maintains that medical treatment for prisoners should follow the procedures set out in the prison rules .
Imran Khan has been incarcerated since August 2023 after being convicted in the Toshakhana case, and has since faced multiple legal proceedings, including convictions in the Al-Qadir Trust case and a second Toshakhana case, with appeals pending in higher courts . He remains in jail following these convictions .
