Islamabad : After 48 hours of ifs and buts, Shahbaz government finally accepted the verdict of Pakistan’s top court and shifted Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) founding chairman, Imran Khan , to Shifa International , a private hospital , in the federal capital , some 30 km from Adiala Jail where former prime minister is linguishing for the last over three years.
PTI founding chairman has been facing multiple cases including May 9 riots and Al Qadir Trust case. He has been convicted in more than one cases.
PTI has challenged conviction of Imran Khan in different courts and appealed for his exoneration in all the cases including May 9 ,2023 cases. Many other top ranking PTI leaders are also behind the bars for years now over their role in May 9 2023 cases . Appeals of PTI leaders against convictions in various cases are under trial.
After over three years hard times, PTI top leader earned big relief from Pakistan ‘s top court two days ago which ordered the government to shift jailed Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital for treatment in 48 hours. The court also ordered the government that it should form a medical board comparing a cardiologist , medical specialist , eye specialist and Imran Khan’s personal physician , doctor Faisal Sultan and his sister , Dr Uzma Khan.
Initially , the government was in two minds . It was aware that non compliance of the apex court orders will cost it heavily . But at the same time it did not want to give any relief to PTI leader by shifting him to Shifa International Hospital , Islamabad . The government legal wizards and some close political aides to PM Shahbaz Sharif , suggested the government to file a review against the apex court ‘s decision of shifting Imran In Han to Shifa International Hospital . The government quoted the jail manual which in its opinion does not allow shifting of any convict to a private hospital for treatment . The review petition was filed ,but it was returned by the Registrar of top court on technical reasons.
Meanwhile , PTI put pressure on the government saying it will file a contempt petition before the SCP if the government did not shift Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital within given timeline of 48 hours. Having least option and fearing a backlash of non compliance of the SCP orders , the government finally shifted Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital , Islamabad amid tight security at late Thursday night.
Imran Khan will remain admitted in Shifa Hospital till next hearing of the SCP in this case.
A block of the Shifa International Hospital where Imran Khan has been admitted declared sub-jail by the local adminstration. The police and other law enforcing agencies have made special security arrangements inside and outside the Shifa International Hospital for Imran Khan’s safety and security.
Meanwhile, PTI General Secretary , Shaikh Waqas Akram, has appealed to PTI workers and leaders not to flock outside
Shifa International Hospital to make sure that their leader gets proper treatment without any hassle.
