The Pakistani government filed a petition to review a Supreme Court order requiring jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan be transferred to a private hospital.
The legal challenge highlights the ongoing tension between the judiciary and the state over the treatment and movement of one of Pakistan's most prominent political figures. The government's attempt to block the transfer suggests a desire to maintain tighter control over the former leader's medical environment.
Authorities filed the review petition on June 19, 2026 [1]. The original court order required that Khan be moved to a private medical facility for a health examination. However, government officials argue that the former prime minister should instead be examined at a public hospital.
"We have filed a review petition to ensure that the former prime minister receives medical care at a public facility," a government spokesperson said.
The petition asks the court to reconsider the order to ensure it aligns with public-interest considerations, and legal standards. The government maintains that public facilities are the appropriate venue for the medical needs of imprisoned individuals.
"The Supreme Court's order will be reviewed to consider the best interests of the nation," a senior government official said.
The dispute occurs in Islamabad, where the government is seeking to overturn the mandate that would have allowed Khan to leave his current place of detention for specialized care. The outcome of the petition will determine whether the Supreme Court maintains its original directive or allows the state to dictate the location of the medical exam.
“"We have filed a review petition to ensure that the former prime minister receives medical care at a public facility,"”
This legal maneuver reflects a broader struggle for authority between Pakistan's executive branch and its highest court. By challenging the Supreme Court's order, the government is testing the limits of judicial oversight regarding the detention and healthcare of political prisoners, while simultaneously attempting to limit the visibility and external access granted to Imran Khan during his medical treatment.
