Pakistan Government Challenges Court Order for Imran Khan's Private Hospital Care

Pakistani authorities have formally petitioned the Supreme Court to review or withdraw a recent order that would allow imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan to undergo a medical examination at a private hospital of his choosing. The legal challenge, filed on Wednesday, could intensify anger among Khan's supporters and further strain relations with his opposition party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, and his family, who have been demanding better medical access and more frequent prison visits.

The petition comes a day after the court directed authorities to take Khan to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad, where a medical board, including his personal physician, would examine him. The government maintains that Khan will receive care at state-run hospitals whenever treatment is needed that is not available within the prison system. Khan has previously been taken to a government hospital for treatment related to an eye condition.

In its filing, the Islamabad chief commissioner argued that the court issued the order without prior notice, asserting that the constitution guarantees equal treatment for all citizens. The petition contends that allowing a convicted individual to receive treatment at a private facility, when his medical report does not indicate an immediate need, could undermine the criminal justice system. It also warns that implementing the order could set a precedent, prompting other inmates to seek similar arrangements outside prison, which would violate existing prison rules. The petition described the order as "discriminatory" and cautioned that it could "open a flood gate" of similar requests that cannot be granted under current law.

Tuesday's order followed months of petitions from Khan seeking a transfer from the high-security prison to a hospital, as well as access to his personal doctors, family, and legal team. On Wednesday, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated that the government has no objection to providing Khan with medical care and that he will continue to receive treatment according to prison regulations. However, Tarar clarified that the government is specifically challenging the part of the order that mandates treatment at a private hospital. He emphasized that there is "no ambiguity" regarding Khan's access to medical treatment and urged that health issues be kept separate from politics.

Concerns over Khan's health escalated in late January when his family reported that he had lost approximately 85 percent of the vision in his right eye, a claim the government disputed. Authorities later stated that Khan had regained about 70 percent of his vision and that his condition was improving.

Khan, a former cricket star turned politician, was removed from office in April 2022 following a parliamentary no-confidence vote. He has been imprisoned since 2023 after being convicted in multiple cases. His supporters have held repeated rallies across the country demanding his release, some of which have turned violent.