ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the immediate hospital transfer of Imran Khan, directing authorities to shift the PTI founder to Shifa International Hospital for treatment.
The Supreme Court heard a case concerning the health of PTI founder Imran Khan and his meetings with family members and personal doctors.
Khan’s lawyer, Uzair Karamat Bhandari, appeared before a three-member Supreme Court bench and sought permission for Khan to meet his personal physicians, Dr Asim Yousuf and Dr Uzma Khan. He also asked the court to move Khan to a private hospital.
Justice Shahid Waheed questioned the condition reflected in Khan’s medical reports. He said the reports showed that Khan’s pulse and heart were not normal.
Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan referred to a report submitted by the jail superintendent. He said the report indicated that Khan’s heart, pulse, blood pressure, dental health and eyesight were not normal.
The judge stressed that Khan’s blood pressure required continuous monitoring.
The Islamabad advocate general told the court that three doctors examine Khan daily. He said additional specialists are called when required.
Justice Shahid Waheed expressed further concern over the report, saying it appeared to show that several of Khan’s vital organs were affected.
The Islamabad advocate general told the court that Khan had received five injections to control his blood pressure.
The court questioned why the injections were not mentioned in the medical report submitted to it.
Supreme Court Questions Medical Report
The bench also questioned the transparency of Khan’s medical records and asked who would guarantee that his medical reports would not be made public or used for political purposes.
The court asked who would bear the cost of Khan’s treatment at a private hospital.
Uzma Khan’s lawyer told the court that the family would cover all hospital expenses.
The lawyers also assured the court that Khan’s personal physicians, Dr Uzma Khan and Dr Faisal Sultan, would not politicise his health or use his treatment for political purposes.
Following the assurances, the Supreme Court ordered authorities to transfer Khan to a private hospital.
Dr Faisal Sultan and Dr Uzma Khan will accompany Khan during his treatment, according to the court’s directions.
The court further ordered that the hospital expenses be paid privately.
Supreme Court Seeks Imran Khan’s Complete Medical Record
The court directed authorities to submit Khan’s complete medical record before the next hearing. Justice Shahid Waheed said the material submitted so far was only a summary of his medical reports.
The judge also questioned why Khan’s full medical record could not be provided to the court.
The Islamabad advocate general told the court that Khan’s sisters had been allowed 48 meetings with him over the past three years.
The Supreme Court sought complete details of all meetings between Khan and his sisters over the past three years. It also sought records of Khan’s telephone conversations with his sons.
Justice Shahid Waheed questioned restrictions on meetings between Khan and his sisters, saying such meetings were a basic right and not a favour from the state.
Court Questions Need for Angiography in Jail
During the hearing, Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan referred to a medical report recommending an angiography for Khan and asked whether the procedure could be performed in jail.
The Islamabad advocate general replied that the procedure could be carried out at an outside hospital.
Justice Shahid Waheed said the medical reports indicated that Khan’s pulse and heart were not normal and that his vital organs had begun showing signs of deterioration.
He questioned why Khan’s sisters could not be allowed to meet him and stressed that the state could not violate fundamental rights.
The court also sought details of Khan’s meetings with his sons and directed the Islamabad advocate general to submit a three-year record of all meetings.
Court Seeks Details of Imran Khan’s Cases
Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan directed Khan’s lawyer to submit complete details of his legal cases.
The court sought information on how many cases Khan is facing as an under-trial prisoner, how many have resulted in convictions and how many sentences have been suspended.
During the proceedings, Khan’s lawyer said the reasons behind the formation of a blood clot should be determined.
The lawyer also assured the court that Dr Uzma Khan and Dr Asim Yousuf would not speak to the media after meeting the PTI founder.
The Islamabad advocate general said the matter was also pending before the Islamabad High Court in an intra-court appeal.
Additional Attorney General Amir Rehman said he had not yet received notice in the matter. Justice Shahid Waheed questioned why he was appearing before the court if no notice had been served.
Before the hearing, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who arrived at the Supreme Court, told reporters that he hoped the courts would facilitate Khan’s release.
The Supreme Court ordered PTI founder Imran Khan to remain in the hospital until the next hearing and adjourned the case until September 16.
