IHC orders medical board on Imran Khan’s request for transfer to Shifa Hospital

Court reviews vision concerns as govt insists jailed ex-PM is receiving proper medical care

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday ordered the formation of a medical board while deciding a petition filed by former prime minister Imran Khan seeking his transfer to Shifa International Hospital for treatment.

The case was heard by Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir and Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro. PTI founder Khan was represented by lawyer Sardar Latif Khosa, while Islamabad Advocate General Ayaz Shaukat and Additional Attorney General Rashid Hafeez also appeared before the court.

During the hearing, Khosa told the court that Khan had been complaining of deteriorating vision in his right eye since October. He said jail doctors initially treated the matter as routine and that Khan was shifted to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) only after his eyesight had “almost been lost.” He added that the family and legal team were not informed during this period.

The court asked that Khosa be allowed to complete his arguments and directed the Islamabad advocate general to review medical reports and previous decisions related to the case.

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Citing jail rules and past court rulings, Khosa argued that there were serious concerns about Khan’s health and life and that immediate specialised care was necessary. The court instructed both sides to continue presenting arguments.

Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir asked under which case former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had previously received relief. Advocate General Ayaz Shaukat replied that it had been granted through a writ petition.

Justice Tahir remarked that the matter would be decided according to law and questioned what would happen if a prisoner was not satisfied with medical treatment. The advocate general responded that satisfaction of the medical officer – not the prisoner – was required under the rules.

The judge observed that treatment was already being provided and suggested that a medical check-up could be conducted at Shifa Hospital, with access granted to Khan’s personal doctors. “Treatment is being carried out and the government acknowledges this. Dr Nadeem Qureshi is an excellent retina specialist,” Justice Tahir said.

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During the proceedings, Khan’s sister Aleema Khan said, “They do not even tell the truth; they keep lying all day.” The judge responded that Dr Qureshi could brief Khan’s doctors about the ongoing treatment.

A medical report submitted to the Supreme Court on February 15 stated that Khan’s vision in his right eye had declined to 15%, prompting renewed calls from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for his release on medical grounds. His family has also demanded that he be shifted to Al-Shifa Hospital for treatment by his personal physicians.

Government officials, however, maintain that Khan is receiving appropriate medical care in custody.

Khan has been jailed since August 2023 and is serving a sentence at Adiala Jail in the £190 million corruption case. He also faces pending trials under the Anti-Terrorism Act linked to the May 9, 2023 protests.