Pakistan contests Supreme Court ruling on Khan’s hospital transfer

The Pakistani government has formally requested a review

The Pakistani government has formally requested a review of a Supreme Court decision that would allow imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan to receive treatment at a private medical facility. Officials argue that the jailed opposition leader should instead be evaluated at a state-run hospital, a move that sets the stage for a fresh legal confrontation.

In its petition, the administration contended that the apex court’s directive lacked procedural basis and could set a dangerous precedent by granting special privileges to a convict. The government’s legal team emphasized that public hospitals are fully equipped to handle Khan’s medical needs, and that transferring him to a private institution would be both unnecessary and inequitable.

The Supreme Court had earlier ruled that Khan, who has been in detention since August, should be shifted to a private hospital following concerns raised by his doctors about the quality of care he was receiving. That order came after weeks of legal wrangling over his health condition, which his party claims has deteriorated while in custody.

Khan’s supporters have welcomed the court’s initial deci…

Khan’s supporters have welcomed the court’s initial decision, viewing it as a rare judicial check on executive authority. His legal representatives have accused the government of deliberately obstructing his access to proper treatment, a charge the administration denies, insisting that all prisoners receive equal medical attention under state supervision.

The review petition will now be heard by a larger bench, prolonging the uncertainty over Khan’s fate. Analysts say the case has become a flashpoint in the country’s volatile political landscape, with the former cricket star still enjoying widespread popularity despite his imprisonment.

No timeline has been set for the hearing, but legal experts expect the matter to be fast-tracked given its public significance. Until then, Khan remains in custody at the facility where the original court order placed him, pending the final outcome of the government’s challenge.