Imran Khan's Sister Seeks Early Supreme Court Hearing on Contempt Plea Over Hospital Transfer

Dr. Uzma Khan, the sister of incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan, has submitted a second application to Pakistan's Supreme Court, urgently seeking an early hearing for a contempt petition. The petition targets government officials accused of disregarding a court directive to transfer the PTI founder to the private Shifa International Hospital.

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serve the interest of justice, protection of life and health and due enforcement of the SC orders

On August 18, a three-member Supreme Court bench had ordered Imran Khan's transfer to Shifa International Hospital, addressing concerns about his health. However, the government instead took him to the public Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) for a check-up before returning him to prison.

Uzma Khan had previously filed a petition against the authorities for violating the court's August 18 order. After the PTI resubmitted the petition and Uzma filed for an early hearing, the Supreme Court initially scheduled the contempt plea for September 16. This date was set by the same bench that had ordered the hospital transfer.

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a national hero and a former prime minister, whose health was deteriorating and whose life was stated to be in jeopardy.

The new application, filed through Advocate Uzair Karamat Bhandari, contends that initiating contempt proceedings within the current or early next week is essential. It emphasizes that the plea aims for the immediate implementation of the August 18 order, serving the interests of justice and the protection of Khan's life and health. The application stresses the urgency due to the former prime minister's deteriorating health and the potential jeopardy to his life.

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The present case is unique on its facts and in the manner in which the Aug 18 order of this court has been brazenly flouted.

It remains unclear if the September 16 hearing date was a directive from the chief justice or a registrar's note. The application pleads for reconsideration of this date, advocating for an expeditious hearing either this week or as early as possible next week. The filing asserts that the case is unique, highlighting the "brazen" flouting of the court's order and its potential international implications for Pakistan's governance and judicial systems. The application warns that any further delay could cause "serious and irreparable harm."

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Any further delay in hearing the contempt petition may cause serious and irreparable harm.