Pakistan challenges court ruling on Imran Khan hospital transfer

Pakistan's government moved to challenge a recent Supreme Court directive regarding the medical examination of Imran Khan, the imprisoned former premier, according to court filings released on Monday. The review petition contests the court's decision to allow Khan to undergo medical assessment at a private hospital, with officials contending that such examinations should be conducted at public healthcare facilities instead.

The petition reflects ongoing tensions between Pakistan's government and Khan, who has been incarcerated on multiple charges that he and his supporters characterize as politically motivated. The court order had emerged from proceedings examining Khan's detention conditions and access to medical care while in custody.

Government lawyers argued in the review that public hospitals possess adequate diagnostic capabilities to assess Khan's health status, questioning the necessity of private medical facilities for the evaluation. The submission underscores disagreements between judicial and executive branches regarding Khan's treatment during his imprisonment.

The Supreme Court has not yet scheduled hearings on the government's review petition. Khan's legal team has previously raised concerns about his health and detention conditions, with his supporters urging independent medical evaluation of the former cricket star turned politician.

The case represents the latest development in Khan's legal struggles since his arrest in August 2023 on multiple charges related to unlawful possession of classified documents, among other allegations he has consistently denied.