The Pakistani government has filed a review petition with the Supreme Court to overturn an order allowing Imran Khan's transfer to a private hospital.
This legal challenge highlights the ongoing tension between the administration of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the former leader, as the state seeks to control the conditions of Khan's medical care.
Authorities filed the petition on Wednesday [1]. The government said the former prime minister should be examined and treated at a public hospital rather than a private facility [2]. This move follows a Supreme Court order issued on Aug. 18 [3] that directed the transfer of Khan to a private hospital for treatment.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan, based in Islamabad, is now tasked with deciding whether to withdraw or modify the previous mandate [1]. The government's request suggests a preference for state-monitored medical environments over independent private care, a point of contention in the high-profile legal battle surrounding the former prime minister.
While the court previously ruled in favor of the transfer, the current petition seeks a full review of that decision [1]. The administration has not provided further details on the specific public facilities it proposes for the treatment [2].
“The government argues that the former prime minister should be examined and treated at a public hospital.”
The government's attempt to revert Imran Khan's treatment to a public facility reflects a broader strategy to maintain strict oversight of the former prime minister's movements and health assessments. By challenging the August 18 order, the administration is testing the limits of the Supreme Court's authority over the detention and care of political prisoners.
