No fixed deadline for Imran Khan hospital transfer as government awaits SC ruling
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has stated that there is currently no deadline for shifting Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf founder Imran Khan to a hospital. The government is waiting for the Supreme Court to decide on its review petition first.
Speaking to journalists at the Parliament House in Islamabad, Senator Sanaullah explained that the government’s review petition should be decided before any transfer takes place. He said the government has filed the review petition again and expects a decision from the top court either today or tomorrow.
“There is no deadline for transferring the PTI founder to a hospital. Let the decision on the review petition come. This will make things clear,” Rana Sanaullah told the media.
The Supreme Court had earlier ordered that Imran Khan be shifted to Shifa International Hospital within two days. That deadline was set to expire on Thursday night. However, the government filed a review plea arguing that the order could not have been passed if the court had considered certain legal provisions.
Rana Sanaullah emphasised that the government remains bound by the Constitution and the law. He noted that the Supreme Court’s decision is binding on all subordinate courts. At the same time, he raised concerns about the wider impact on the criminal justice system.
He questioned whether every prisoner would then demand transfer to a private hospital. If that happens, subordinate courts would find it difficult to refuse similar requests in the future.
The PML N leader also referred to the case of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif. He recalled that Nawaz was taken from prison to a government hospital and later allowed to receive treatment abroad after a medical board recommendation.
Meanwhile, Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the government is committed to implementing the Supreme Court’s decision in full. He added that if the required treatment is not available at a government hospital, Imran Khan could be sent to Shifa International Hospital. A decision regarding treatment abroad could also be considered if needed.
Opposition Leader in the Senate Raja Nasir Abbas expressed hope that the court’s order would be implemented soon. He observed that a positive atmosphere is emerging and relations between the government and opposition appear to be improving.
Imran Khan, aged 73, has been in prison since August 2023. He and his party continue to describe the cases against him as politically motivated.
The government’s position remains clear. It will wait for the Supreme Court’s ruling on the review petition before taking any further step regarding the hospital transfer of Imran Khan.
