The party of jailed ex-prime minister Imran Khan filed a contempt petition against the government after authorities took the cricketer-turned-politician to a state-run hospital instead of the private facility ordered by the top court, party officials said.
Yesterday, Naeem Panjutha, a legal adviser for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), said, “The petition seeks action against the prime minister, law minister, information minister” and other government officials, adding it also calls for Imran’s treatment at the private hospital ordered by the court.
Imran, who remains highly popular in Pakistan, has been imprisoned since August 2023 on charges he calls politically motivated after a fallout with the country’s powerful military led to his removal from office.
His arrest sparked massive nationwide protests, including the storming of military installations, and public perception that he was moved back to jail forcefully has the potential to rekindle such demonstrations.
A three-judge bench on Tuesday directed the government to transfer Imran from Adiala Jail to the private Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad within two days for medical examination.
Officials instead took Imran to the state-run Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) overnight on Friday for a brief check-up before returning him to jail and did not give him access to his personal physician, which the party also cites as a breach of court orders.
The PTI interprets the order as requiring Imran to remain under medical supervision until at least mid-September.
Imran’s sister, Uzma Khan, who attended the examination at PIMS, told media that while her brother is physically fit, “Imran told me that he is being repeatedly tortured in prison”.
The interior and law ministries as well as jail authorities have not responded to a request for comment from Reuters on the allegations of torture.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Friday Imran was examined at PIMS because of security risks.
Imran’s supporters had lined Islamabad streets overnight, and PTI leaders say the episode will intensify pressure and boost preparations for a planned protest march on Sept 27. — Reuters
