The federal government has decided to seek a review of the Supreme Court order concerning PTI founder Imran Khan’s medical treatment.
The court had directed authorities to transfer the former prime minister to Shifa International Hospital for medical treatment. The government now plans to approach the Supreme Court to seek changes to that direction.
Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said the government had examined the Supreme Court’s decision. Officials reviewed the directions concerning Khan’s treatment and his proposed transfer to the private hospital.
Tarar said the government also consulted relevant authorities before deciding its next legal step. Concerns were raised over treating a convicted prisoner at a private medical facility.
According to the law minister, existing rules generally provide medical treatment for convicted prisoners at government hospitals. The government will therefore request the Supreme Court to review its order.
Authorities have proposed that Imran Khan undergo his medical examination at a government hospital instead. Tarar said this approach would be in line with the applicable rules.
The review request will specifically address the direction to transfer Khan to Shifa International Hospital. However, the final decision will remain with the Supreme Court after considering the government’s arguments.
Tarar also raised concerns about the wider impact of allowing prisoners to receive treatment at private hospitals. He noted that thousands of prisoners across the country also face different health issues.
The law minister said courts can involve medical specialists when assessing the health condition of a prisoner. Medical experts can provide their opinion when courts consider such assistance necessary.
However, Tarar said the relevant legal framework also gives an important role to a medical board. The board determines the appropriate treatment required by a prisoner.
It can assess whether treatment should continue inside the prison or at a hospital outside the facility. The government argues that existing procedures should be followed in Khan’s case.
The development follows the Supreme Court’s order concerning Imran Khan’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital. The government’s planned review could bring the medical treatment issue before the court again.
The Supreme Court will consider the review request once it is formally presented through the appropriate legal process. Until then, the government’s move represents an attempt to seek changes to the existing directive.
In other news read more about: Supreme Court Orders Imran Khan’s Transfer to Shifa International Hospital
The matter could lead to another significant legal development in the high-profile case. Any change to the current arrangement will depend on further proceedings and the Supreme Court’s decision.
