CJP Afridi tells PTI lawyer that no order was issued on medical treatment, government had only given assurance
ISLAMABAD:
The Supreme Court on Friday returned a petition seeking transfer of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan to a hospital after raising objections in this regard.
Lawyers of PTI founder Sardar Latif Khosa and Naeem Panjutha appeared before the court of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi and requested that their petition be fixed for hearing.
“Please fix our hearing request,” Khosa said, adding that an urgent hearing request had been submitted the day before. CJP Afridi, however, told the lawyer that the petition had already been returned with objections. “Their petitions will remain pending until further orders. They do not have any pending petitions on which proceedings can be carried out,” he said.
Read: Relief for Imran and Bushra as IHC admits Toshakhana appeals
Khosa argued that the court had previously ordered medical treatment for the PTI founder, but Afridi responded by saying that “the court did not issue an order, but the government had given a guarantee.” The chief justice added that the health issue was no longer pending before the court and that the lawyer should re-read the decision.
Khosa said the request for transfer to a hospital was not for political or legal reasons but for humanitarian reasons, to which CJP noted that the medical check-up had been carried out on humanitarian grounds.
Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan, addressing Khosa directly, said: “I have known you since 1992. I understand what you are saying and through what channel you are saying it.” CJP Afridi, however, reminded Khosa of the court procedure. “khosa sahibyou are a senior lawyer; “You must know the procedure of the Supreme Court,” he said, directing him to meet with the Secretary to obtain a copy of the objections. “If you do not provide a copy, you can approach the court,” he added.
Khosa, before leaving, questioned why he had not been informed of the previous day’s order. “If an order was passed yesterday, why haven’t we been informed yet?” said.
Senior PTI members on Wednesday approached the Supreme Court seeking transfer of Imran to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad for medical treatment. The petition was filed by Khosa in the Toshakhana criminal case under Rule 35(6) of the Supreme Court Rules, 2025, following a health assessment report prepared by advocate Salman Safdar under the directions of the court.
He requested that Imran be immediately transferred to Shifa International Hospital for specialized treatment of his eye condition by a retina specialist. He also requested access to his personal doctors, Dr. Faisal Sultan and Dr. Asim Yousaf, and requested that his family be allowed to remain present during medical examinations and treatments.
Read more: UK peers press government on Imran Khan’s health, urge human rights links with Pakistan
The submission also requested that Imran’s family members be informed and allowed access during his medical treatment, and that his legal counsel be provided with certified copies of all medical reports and examinations. Additionally, he requested regular access to his attorney to ensure effective legal representation.
The former prime minister has been detained since August 2023 and is serving time in Adiala jail in a £190m corruption case. He also faces pending trials under the Anti-Terrorism Law in relation to the May 9, 2023 protests. His party has intensified calls for his release after a medical report submitted to court said vision in his right eye had decreased to 15%. However, government officials say he is receiving adequate medical care.
