RAWALPINDI: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Saturday rejected a request filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan seeking permission for a medical check-up by his personal physicians.
The plea was heard by ATC Rawalpindi Judge Amjad Ali Shah. Imran Khan was represented by his counsel Faisal Malik, while Special Prosecutor Zaheer Shah appeared on behalf of the prosecution.
Opposing the application, the special prosecutor argued that Imran Khan was not an under-trial prisoner. He said the PTI founder was out on bail in the May 9 GHQ attack case and, therefore, could not be treated as a convict or an under-custody prisoner. He maintained that while Imran Khan was an under-trial accused in the GHQ case, he was not a prisoner whose custody could be regulated by the court.
The prosecutor further contended that a criminal court had no authority to regulate the custody or medical arrangements of an accused who was on bail. He said that only constitutional courts could issue such directions, adding that under the Pakistan Prison Rules, the government was responsible for appointing doctors to provide medical treatment to prisoners.
Zaheer Shah also pointed out that the Pakistan Prison Rules did not provide for treatment by private or personal doctors, nor did they recognise any role for personal physicians in the medical care of prisoners.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the court dismissed the application seeking access for Imran Khan’s personal doctors.
Separately, the Supreme Court (SC) on Saturday said that a memorandum submitted by the PTI leadership on Friday had once again been conveyed to the “relevant executive authorities” for appropriate consideration under the law.
In a statement, a public relations officer of the top court said: “The concerns relating to access to the imprisoned PTI leader and the provision of medical reports were once again conveyed to the relevant executive authorities …”.
The SC official said that a group of parliamentarians affiliated to the former ruling party, including Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, gathered in front of the court last month to register their concerns regarding access to their imprisoned leader.
The official said that the SC registrar engaged with the PTI’s representatives and assured that the concerns would be brought to the notice of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi.
“Later in the day, their counsel, Salman Akram Raja, Advocate Supreme Court, was granted audience by the honourable chief justice of Pakistan,” read the statement.
During the interaction, concerns relating to access to the imprisoned PTI leader, including access by family members and medical professionals, were conveyed, it added.
As the matter raised did not directly pertain to proceedings pending before the SC, the concerns were referred to the relevant “executive authorities” for consideration in accordance with law, on which the gathering dispersed peacefully.
“In absence of any communicated response for a week, the delegation, including opposition leaders in Senate [Allama Raja Nasir Abbas] and the National Assembly [Mehmood Khan Achakzai], once again approached the Supreme Court on February 6, 2026, with a signed memorandum, which was formally received by the Registrar, Supreme Court of Pakistan,” read the statement.
The official said that the PTI concerns were once again forwarded to the concerned “executive authorities,” it added.
The SC official said that the court, in order to address such eventualities in future, also issued standard operating procedures (SOPs) for engaging aggrieved litigants.
“The SOPs emphasise ensuring accessibility, facilitation and provision of necessary amenities, including emergency medical cover, without compromising institutional decorum, judicial functions or the rights of access of other litigants,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the SC fixed for hearing criminal petitions related to the Toshakhana case against Imran Khan for Monday, February 9.
After completion of proceedings in the Islamabad High Court (IHC), the case has once again been scheduled for hearing before the apex court.
A two-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, will hear the criminal petitions. Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan will be the other member of the bench.
A trial court had earlier sentenced Imran Khan to three years in prison in the Toshakhana case. Subsequently, the IHC suspended the sentence. The PTI founder was convicted under Sections 167 and 173 of the Elections Act.
In the petitions, it has been argued that the trial court ignored the remand order issued by the Islamabad High Court and failed to act in accordance with its directions.
The petitioners contend that the trial court exceeded its legal authority by announcing the verdict after the high court’s order and have sought a declaration that the trial court proceedings be declared unlawful.
