Government Challenges Imran Khan Hospital Transfer Order

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Government Challenges Imran Khan Hospital Transfer Order as PTI Plans Supreme Court Move

The Pakistan Times — Islamabad | August 21, 2026

The dispute over former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s medical treatment has taken a new legal turn after the federal government challenged the Supreme Court’s order concerning his transfer to Shifa International Hospital.

The government’s move has been strongly criticised by the opposition, which says the authorities are not following the court’s directions.

Why Did the Government Challenge the Order?

The government has argued that allowing a prisoner to receive treatment at a private hospital could create a wider issue for the prison system.

Its review petition questioned the decision to send Imran Khan to a private medical facility and argued that other prisoners could make similar demands in the future. The government has also maintained that prisoners should receive medical care under existing laws and prison rules.

The Supreme Court had earlier ordered that Imran Khan be shifted to Shifa International Hospital for medical examination and treatment. The court also directed arrangements involving a medical board and access to his personal doctor.

Supreme Court Registrar Returns Petition

The government’s review petition was later returned by the Supreme Court registrar’s office because of incomplete paper books.

According to reports, the government may submit the petition again after making the required changes and addressing the objections raised by the registrar’s office.

This means the legal dispute over Imran Khan’s hospital treatment is not necessarily over.

PTI Accuses Government of Violating Court Directions

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has criticised the government’s handling of the matter.

The party says Imran Khan should have been taken to the hospital specified by the Supreme Court. PTI has also indicated that it intends to approach the Supreme Court over what it considers a failure to follow the court’s directions.

The issue became more controversial after Imran Khan was taken to PIMS for a medical examination instead of Shifa International Hospital. Government officials said security concerns were behind the decision, while doctors from Shifa were also involved in the examination.

Government and Opposition Take Different Positions

The government says its concern is not about denying Imran Khan medical treatment but about the legal and administrative implications of sending a prisoner to a private hospital.

The opposition, meanwhile, views the matter as a question of compliance with a Supreme Court order.

The disagreement has added another legal issue to the already tense political relationship between the PTI and the federal government.

What Happens Next?

The next important development will be whether the government files a fresh review petition after addressing the registrar’s objections and how the Supreme Court responds.

The PTI’s possible move to the court could also bring the issue back before the judges and provide an opportunity for both sides to present their positions.

For now, the dispute remains focused on Imran Khan’s medical treatment, the Supreme Court’s earlier order and the government’s objections to private-hospital treatment for prisoners.

Summary

The federal government has challenged the Supreme Court’s order concerning Imran Khan’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital, arguing that private-hospital treatment could raise similar demands from other prisoners. The Supreme Court registrar later returned the petition over incomplete paperwork, while the PTI has said it will pursue the matter before the court.

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