ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has filed a contempt of court petition in the Supreme Court, alleging that authorities failed to comply with the court’s August 18, 2026 order concerning the hospital transfer and medical examination of PTI founder Imran Khan.
The petition seeks contempt proceedings against government and prison officials and asks the court to order Khan’s immediate transfer to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad for a medical examination.
The petition was filed by lawyers Uzair Bhandari and Salman Akram Raja. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, the information minister, Islamabad Chief Commissioner Sohail Ashraf, the interior secretary, the inspector general of prisons and the prison superintendent have been named as respondents.
PTI seeks implementation of Supreme Court order
PTI has asked the Supreme Court to issue show-cause notices to those allegedly responsible for violating its order and direct them to appear personally before the court.
The petition also requests that the respondents be declared in contempt of court and punished in accordance with the law.
It further seeks the immediate transfer of Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital and his medical examination there. The petition also asks the court to appoint a judicial officer or local commission to oversee implementation of its directions.
Four alleged violations cited
According to the petition, the authorities failed to comply with four directions contained in the Supreme Court’s August 18 order.
PTI alleges that Khan was not transferred to Shifa International Hospital, a medical board was not constituted, his medical assessment was not conducted through the board, and Dr Faisal Sultan was not included in the medical board.
The petition rejects security concerns cited as a justification for not transferring Khan to Shifa International Hospital.
It also refers to previous Supreme Court judgments, including the Adnan A. Khawaja and Yousaf Raza Gilani cases, arguing that responsibility for implementing court orders ultimately rests with the executive authorities.
Government statements and review petition
The petition states that Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said after the Supreme Court’s order that it would be implemented.
According to the petition, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar later announced on August 18 that the government would file a review petition. The inspector general of prisons reportedly said that a prisoner could only be transferred to a government hospital.
A review petition was filed on August 19 but was subsequently withdrawn, according to the application.
The petition also refers to statements by the federal information minister regarding the hospital where Khan would receive treatment, alleging that the government later identified Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) rather than Shifa International Hospital.
Hearing of main case adjourned until September 16
The Supreme Court has already adjourned the related proceedings until September 16.
Speaking to the media, Salman Akram Raja said the timing of filing the contempt petition would not necessarily determine when it was taken up. He said an immediate hearing would only be possible if the court specifically decided to do so.
The contempt petition now seeks judicial action over the alleged non-compliance with the Supreme Court’s August 18 directions.
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