The petition seeks contempt proceedings against those allegedly responsible for violating the court’s directions, along with show-cause notices and orders requiring them to appear before the Supreme Court.
PTI Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja and lawyer Uzair Bhandari filed the petition on behalf of Imran’s sister, Dr Uzma Khan.
In its August 18 order, the Supreme Court had directed authorities to transfer Imran to Shifa International Hospital for medical examination and treatment.
However, Imran was instead taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), where doctors from Shifa International Hospital were also present, according to Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.
The PTI subsequently accused the government of violating the court’s order. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said there was no ambiguity in the Supreme Court’s direction specifying Shifa International Hospital.
The party has asked the Supreme Court to declare the respondents guilty of contempt and punish them in accordance with the law.
It has also sought Imran’s immediate transfer to Shifa International Hospital and requested the appointment of a judicial officer or formation of a local commission to monitor implementation of the court’s order.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar have been named as respondents.
According to Information Minister Tarar, Imran was taken to hospital between the night of August 20 and August 21 under appropriate security arrangements and returned to Adiala Jail around 5am after completing his medical examination.
Tarar said Imran was taken to Pims instead of Shifa because of security concerns arising from the presence of PTI workers along the route and outside the hospital.
The Pims administration said two specialists from Shifa participated in Imran’s eye examination, while Pims specialists conducted his other medical tests.
Pims said it would not disclose the contents of the medical report, citing patient confidentiality and the Supreme Court’s directions.
'Supreme Court order was clear'
Speaking to the media after filing the petition, Raja said the Supreme Court’s order clearly specified that Imran was to be transferred to Shifa International Hospital.
Responding to questions about why the contempt petition was not filed earlier, Raja said filing a petition did not automatically mean it would be taken up for hearing immediately.
He said Supreme Court petitions undergo scrutiny before being listed and that cases are generally not fixed for hearing within an hour of being filed.
Raja added that an immediate hearing could only take place if the court specifically decided to take up the matter urgently.
