Govt blames PTI for 'violating' SC order, says family committed contempt by issuing statements

Pakistan's government accused the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party on Saturday of violating a Supreme Court order by issuing media statements following former Prime Minister Imran Khan's medical check-up. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar asserted that the ruling PML-N party believes health matters should not be exploited for political gain, a stance he claimed has been consistent regardless of their party's position in government or opposition.

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PML-N believes that health issues should not be used for political gain.

Tarar recounted that since the Supreme Court's order regarding Khan's health, the government has refrained from making mocking or controversial statements. He detailed the government's review petition, which respectfully questioned the availability of such facilities for all prisoners and whether the law permitted a private hospital check-up. "The answer is yes. Was the checkup done? Yes. Was it done with transparency? Yes. Was his sister present there? Yes. Were doctors from Shifa [Hospital] present there? Yes. All the obligations were completed," Tarar stated, emphasizing the transparent implementation of the court's order.

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The viewpoint was that whatever will happen, it will be according to the law.

The minister expressed surprise at PTI's subsequent statements and actions, calling them "miles away from the light of knowledge" and suggesting the party filed a "baseless contempt petition." This statement came shortly after Dr. Uzma Khan, Imran Khan's sister, filed a petition with the Supreme Court seeking contempt proceedings against those responsible for allegedly violating the court's August 18 order. The order mandated Khan's transfer to a private hospital for examination and treatment by a multidisciplinary medical board, with his sister and personal physician present.

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The answer is yes. Was the checkup done? Yes. Was it done with transparency? Yes. Was his sister present there? Yes. Were doctors from Shifa [Hospital] present there? Yes. All the obligations were completed.

Tarar also addressed the communication of updates, noting that the Law Minister detailed the review petition's grounds, and he himself posted an update on X after Khan's check-up at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims). The government maintains that all legal and procedural obligations concerning Khan's medical examination were met.

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PTI is miles away from the light of knowledge.