Khan’s party accuses government of violating court order

The party of Pakistan's ‌jailed ex-prime minister Imran Khan filed a contempt petition against the government on Saturday after authorities took the cricketer-turned-politician to a state-run hospital instead of the private facility ordered by the top court, party officials ​said.

"The petition seeks action against the prime minister, law minister, information minister" and ​other government officials, said Naeem Panjutha, a legal advisor for the Pakistan ⁠Tehreek-e-Insaf, adding it also calls for Khan's treatment at the private hospital ordered by the ​court.

Khan, who remains highly popular in Pakistan, has been imprisoned since August 2023 on charges ​he calls politically motivated after a fallout with the country's powerful military led to his removal from office. His arrest sparked massive nationwide protests, including the storming of military installations, and public perception that he was ​moved back to jail forcefully has the potential to rekindle such demonstrations.

A three-judge bench ​on Tuesday directed the government to transfer Khan from Adiala Jail to the private Shifa International Hospital in ‌Islamabad ⁠within two days for medical examination.

Officials instead took Khan to the state-run Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) overnight on Friday for a brief check-up before returning him to jail and did not give him access to his personal physician, which the party also cites as a ​breach of court orders.

The ​PTI interprets the ⁠order as requiring Khan to remain under medical supervision until at least mid-September.

Khan’s sister, Uzma Khan, who attended the examination at PIMS, told ​media that while her brother is physically fit, “Khan told me that ​he is being ⁠repeatedly tortured in prison”. The interior and law ministries as well as jail authorities have not responded to a request for comment from Reuters on the allegations of torture.

Information Minister Attaullah ⁠Tarar said ​on Friday Khan was examined at PIMS because of ​security risks.

Khan's supporters had lined Islamabad streets overnight, and PTI leaders say the episode will intensify pressure and boost ​preparations for a planned protest march on September 27.

-Reuters