ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday returned an appeal filed by former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan against an Islamabad High Court (IHC) order relating to his medical examination and proposed transfer to Shifa International Hospital, citing procedural and technical objections.
According to an office order issued through Altafur Rehman, Senior Court Assistant (Institutional Branch), the appeal was found non-entertainable as it had not been properly instituted in accordance with Supreme Court practice and rules.
The order stated that the criminal petition was presented through an advocate-on-record, Dr Muhammad Usman Mirza, but the accompanying power of attorney was not executed by the petitioner himself. Instead, it bore the signature of Naeem Haider Pansota, which the court noted as inconsistent with established filing requirements.
It further observed that, as per Supreme Court practice, criminal petitions must be filed by the petitioner directly and not through an attorney. The office also pointed out that under Objection No. 13 of the Supreme Court Rules 2025, no proof had been attached confirming whether the petitioner is in jail or has served his sentence.
In view of these deficiencies, the petition was returned to the advocate-on-record as “not entertainable,” the order added.
Imran Khan had filed the appeal under Article 185(3) of the Constitution, challenging the IHC order dated March 12, 2026. The high court had disposed of his application seeking transfer to a private hospital for medical examination, access to his personal physicians and family, and provision of detailed medical records. The appeal argued that the IHC had merely constituted a medical board comprising doctors who had already examined him, without issuing meaningful directions regarding independent medical assessment, access to private physicians, or enforcement of earlier court orders.
It further contended that the high court had failed to ensure compliance with prior directions and had not ordered transfer to a private hospital for comprehensive treatment.
Imran Khan had requested the Supreme Court to allow examination by doctors of his choice, including Dr Khurram Mirza, Dr Asim Yousaf, Dr Faisal Sultan, and Dr Samina Niazi, and to direct his immediate transfer to Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad.He also sought directions for the provision of complete medical records, including eye examination reports, diagnostic tests, and blood work conducted over the past four months.
