PTI files contempt petition over alleged breach of SC order on party founder's hospital transfer

Islamabad (Web Desk): The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Saturday approached the Supreme Court (SC) with a contempt petition, alleging that its order regarding the transfer of party founder Imran Khan to a hospital had not been followed.

Through the petition, the party requested the court to initiate contempt proceedings against those it holds responsible for the alleged violation. It also sought the issuance of show-cause notices and orders requiring the respondents to appear before the court in person.

PTI Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja and lawyer Uzair Bhandari submitted the petition on behalf of Imran Khan’s sister, Dr Uzma Khan.

In its August 18 order, the SC had directed the authorities to shift the PTI founder to Shifa International Hospital for a medical examination. Instead, the former premier was taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), where doctors from Shifa International Hospital were also available, according to Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.

The PTI subsequently alleged that the federal government had failed to comply with the court’s directive.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan maintained that the Supreme Court’s instructions were clear and left no uncertainty about transferring the former premier to the hospital specifically named in the order.

The contempt plea requested the SC to hold the respondents responsible for contempt of court and impose punishment in accordance with the law.

The party also requested an immediate transfer of the PTI founder to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad so that he could undergo the required medical examination there.

In addition, the petition requested the court to nominate a judicial officer or establish a local commission to monitor the implementation of its order and ensure that its directions were fully carried out.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar have been named as respondents in the petition.

On Friday, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said that Imran Khan had been taken to the hospital during the night between August 20 and 21 under "appropriate security arrangements".

"Imran was taken back to Adiala jail at around 5am on August 21 after the medical examination process was completed," he said.

Tarar explained that the former prime minister was taken to PIMS instead of Shifa International because of security concerns arising from what he described as a situation "created by PTI workers" along the route leading to and outside the Shifa hospital.

کچھ مزید تفصیلات:

طبی معائنہ پمز ہسپتال میں کرایا گیا جس میں الشفا ہسپتال کے ڈاکٹرز بھی موجود تھے۔

پی ٹی ائی کے کارکنوں کی طرف سے جو سیکیورٹی کی صورتحال الشفا ہسپتال کے راستے میں اور باہر پیدا کی گئی اس کے پیش نظر ان کو پمز ہسپتال لے جایا گیا اور طبی معائنے کے مطابق وہ صحت… https://t.co/soNoD1bmu1

— Attaullah Tarar (@TararAttaullah) August 21, 2026

The PIMS administration said earlier on Saturday that two specialists from Shifa International had taken part in Imran Khan’s eye examination, while specialists from PIMS carried out the rest of his medical assessments.

PIMS also stated that the details of the former premier’s medical report would remain confidential, citing patient privacy as well as the directions issued by the Supreme Court.

Speaking to journalists in Islamabad after submitting the contempt petition, Salman Akram Raja reiterated that the Supreme Court’s August 18 order clearly required Imran Khan to be transferred to Shifa International Hospital.

Addressing the timing of the petition, Raja said it would not have been possible for the court to hear the matter immediately even if the petition had been submitted a day earlier.

He explained that petitions submitted before the Supreme Court first go through a scrutiny process before they are formally listed for hearing.

Salman Akram Raja said matters are generally not scheduled before a bench within an hour of being filed.

He added that an immediate hearing could only be arranged if the court itself decided to give the matter special and urgent consideration.