The Imran Khan hospital transfer petition was returned by the Supreme Court with formal objections, creating uncertainty about the former prime minister’s medical treatment while he remains in custody. The petition requested that Imran Khan be transferred to a hospital for medical examination and treatment due to concerns about his health.
During the hearing, Yahya Afridi informed lawyers from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) that no such petition was currently pending before the court that could be processed. The Chief Justice made it clear that the petition had been returned due to procedural objections and therefore could not be taken up for hearing at this stage.
The Imran Khan hospital transfer petition had been submitted by senior lawyer Sardar Latif Khosa, who requested urgent consideration of the matter. However, the registrar’s office raised objections, stating that the Supreme Court had already clarified that Imran Khan’s related appeals are pending before the High Court. According to the registrar, any medical concerns should be addressed through the High Court rather than directly through the Supreme Court.
Registrar Raises Legal Objections
One of the major reasons the Imran Khan hospital transfer petition was returned was that an Advocate-on-Record did not file it, a procedural requirement for cases in the Supreme Court. Because of this technical issue, the petition could not be formally admitted for hearing.
Lawyers Sardar Latif Khosa and Naeem Panjotha appeared before the Chief Justice and requested that the matter be fixed for an early hearing. They emphasized that their client’s health required urgent attention and that the court should intervene on humanitarian grounds.
However, Chief Justice Yahya Afridi stated that the Imran Khan hospital transfer petition had already been returned with objections. Therefore, no proceedings could continue unless the petition was refiled in accordance with the law.
Court Refers Matter to High Court
The Supreme Court emphasized that the Imran Khan hospital transfer petition should be taken to the High Court because appeals related to Imran Khan’s cases are already pending there. The Chief Justice explained that the Supreme Court could not interfere if the matter fell within the High Court’s jurisdiction.
The court also noted that no formal order had been issued earlier directing medical treatment or hospital transfer. However, the government had provided assurances regarding Imran Khan’s health and had allowed medical check-ups on humanitarian grounds.
Legal experts say that this decision reflects the court’s adherence to procedural rules and jurisdictional limits rather than a refusal to consider medical concerns. The petition may be reconsidered if filed properly or if the High Court issues relevant directions.
PTI Leadership Raises Health Concerns
Separately, Gohar Ali Khan, Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, met Chief Justice Yahya Afridi at the Supreme Court building to discuss the situation. During the meeting, the Imran Khan hospital transfer petition and the former prime minister’s health condition were discussed in detail.
The Chief Justice reiterated that the court’s order was clear and that the appropriate legal forum for relief was the High Court. Since appeals are already pending there, the Supreme Court could not intervene directly.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Barrister Gauhar said that concerns about Imran Khan’s health extend beyond politics and have become a national issue. He stated that there is limited public information available about Imran Khan’s current health condition, including concerns about his eyesight and general well-being.
Growing Public and Political Attention
The petition to transfer Imran Khan to a hospital has attracted significant public and political attention, as supporters and party leaders continue to call for transparency about his medical condition. PTI leaders argue that regular medical updates and proper treatment are necessary to ensure his well-being while in custody.
Political observers believe that the issue could remain in the spotlight as legal proceedings continue. If the Imran Khan hospital transfer petition is refiled or taken to the High Court, the matter may return to the courts in the coming weeks.
For now, the Supreme Court’s decision means that the legal battle over the Imran Khan hospital transfer petition is likely to continue through other judicial forums. In contrast, PTI leaders continue to press for urgent medical attention for the former prime minister.
