ISLAMABAD: The federal government today filed a review petition against the Supreme Court order about former prime minister Imran Khan’s transfer to a private hospital for medical treatment.
The Supreme Court had ordered authorities to shift the incarcerated PTI founder to Islamabad’s Shifa International Hospital for examination and treatment.
The court also directed a multidisciplinary medical board to assess and treat Khan. The government filed its review petition through the Islamabad chief commissioner.
Meanwhile, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar had announced that the government would seek modification of the Supreme Court’s interim order.
Tarar cited prison regulations, arguing that authorities must provide prisoners treatment at government facilities unless a medical board finds necessary care unavailable there.
Govt challenges Supreme Court jurisdiction
In its review petition, the government argued that the Supreme Court’s interim order exceeded its jurisdiction and therefore required reconsideration.
The petition also claimed that the order contained apparent errors of law evident from the court record.
Furthermore, the government cited Rule 197 of the Pakistan Prison Rules, 1978, which concerns transferring prisoners to civil hospitals during serious illness.
According to the petition, the rule escaped the court’s consideration and resulted in an apparent legal error.
The government maintained that the Supreme Court could not have issued its interim order if it had considered Rule 197.
The review petition now seeks reconsideration of the order directing Khan’s transfer to the private hospital for medical assessment and treatment.
