The federal government has started preparing to review the recent Supreme Court order regarding the treatment of PTI founder Imran Khan. Federal Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar has said that the government will approach the apex court after reviewing various aspects of the court’s decision.
According to Azam Nazir Tarar, the government has consulted on the medical and other legal points of the order. According to him, clarification is required in some matters. The government will file a review petition for the same purpose.
This matter came to light after the Supreme Court’s August 18 order. The court had directed that Imran Khan be shifted from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad. The court also ordered the formation of a medical board comprising experts for medical examination and treatment.
The court also directed that Imran Khan’s personal physician and relevant experts be included in the medical review. The order also mentions weekly meetings with the family and the facility of contacting his sons over the phone.
A key aspect of the government’s objection is the scope of the court order. Azam Nazir Tarar raised the question that other prisoners in the country’s jails are also facing various diseases. Therefore, it should be clear whether the order is limited to Imran Khan’s case or will it have wider implications.
The law minister said that the facility of treatment is available to convicted prisoners in government hospitals. The government’s position is that legal interpretation of some parts of the court order is necessary in Imran Khan’s case.
The issue of Imran Khan’s treatment has been under discussion in the courts earlier this year as well. In February, PTI had requested the Supreme Court to shift Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital. The plea took the stand of eye treatment and access to a specialist doctor.
Later in March, the Islamabad High Court directed the formation of a medical board to assess Imran Khan’s health. This development further advanced the legal debate regarding his medical treatment.
Now, after the government’s review petition, the Supreme Court will review the matter again. The court can decide whether any amendment or clarification is required in the existing order.
A broader aspect of this issue is the provision of medical facilities to prisoners in prisons. If the court interprets its order in a broader context, it may also have an impact on the medical rights of other prisoners. However, the final outcome in this regard will be clear from the upcoming proceedings of the Supreme Court.
This matter between the government and the judiciary has also been linked to questions of legal authority, prison administration and prisoners’ medical rights beyond Imran Khan’s health. More clarification on these points is expected in the upcoming hearing.
