The Pakistan government filed a review petition Wednesday challenging a Supreme Court order to move jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan to a private hospital [1].
The legal move signals a deepening conflict between the administration and the judiciary over the treatment and security of the former leader. It also highlights the ongoing political friction between the Shehbaz Sharif-led government and Khan's supporters.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said the government is contesting the order to transfer Khan to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad [4]. The administration argues that the former prime minister should be examined and treated at a public hospital rather than a private facility [1].
This challenge follows a Supreme Court directive that required the transfer to be arranged within two days [5]. The order was intended to ensure Khan received necessary medical attention while remaining in custody at Adiala Jail [5].
The government's petition seeks to overturn the mandate, citing preferences for state-run medical institutions. The move comes as the administration continues to manage the legal and security complexities surrounding Khan's incarceration [2].
Legal representatives for the government have not specified which public hospital they propose as an alternative, but they maintain that state facilities are appropriate for the former prime minister's needs [4]. The Supreme Court has not yet ruled on the review petition [3].
“The Pakistan government filed a review petition Wednesday challenging a Supreme Court order to move jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan to a private hospital.”
This legal battle reflects the broader struggle for power in Pakistan, where the judiciary often acts as a check on executive authority. By challenging the Supreme Court's specific choice of a private medical facility, the government is attempting to maintain tighter control over the environment and oversight of its most prominent political prisoner.
