ISLAMABAD (MNN); Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on Tuesday said the government would approach the Supreme Court seeking “suitable modifications” to its order concerning PTI founder Imran Khan’s medical treatment, particularly the directive to shift him from jail to a private hospital in Islamabad.
The Supreme Court earlier directed the government to transfer the incarcerated former prime minister to Shifa International Hospital within two days for medical examination and treatment.
Speaking about the government’s position, Tarar said medical experts and specialists could be involved in the treatment process, but questioned whether medical examinations of prisoners should routinely be conducted at private hospitals.
He said that if such facilities were extended to one prisoner, thousands of other inmates across the country suffering from health problems could potentially seek similar treatment.
According to the law minister, many medical conditions could be treated within prisons, while government hospitals also had adequate facilities for prisoners requiring treatment outside jail.
“The Supreme Court is being requested to make suitable modifications to bring the order within the proper parameters of the Constitution and law,” Tarar said.
Government Says SC Order Will Be Implemented
Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry told the Senate that the government would implement the Supreme Court’s decision regarding Imran Khan’s transfer to a private hospital.
PTI lawmakers welcomed the court order while also calling for similar relief for other incarcerated party leaders.
Chaudhry said the government had no authority to disregard judicial decisions and described the verdict as evidence of the independence of the judiciary.
He also condemned what he termed insulting remarks and campaigns against the judiciary, while pointing out that leaders of the ruling PML-N had also received relief through court decisions in the past.
PTI Senator Azam Swati welcomed the decision to transfer Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital and thanked the government, saying political issues should be resolved through dialogue.
Senator Faisal Javed also welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision and thanked the court, saying implementation of the order was now the responsibility of the administration. He also called for relief for other imprisoned PTI leaders.
Imran Khan, his sister Dr Uzma Khan, Mashal Azam and PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja had approached the Supreme Court seeking his transfer to Shifa International Hospital, access to personal physicians, family members and lawyers, and the sharing of his medical information with his family.
The Supreme Court directed the relevant government authorities, in consultation with Shifa International Hospital’s management, to constitute a medical board comprising a physician, general surgeon, internal medicine specialist, ophthalmologist and cardiologist to examine and treat the former premier.
PTI Senator Raises Economic Cost of Road Closures
During the Senate proceedings, PTI Senator Mohsin Aziz raised concerns over frequent road closures and their impact on economic activity.
He claimed that a transporters’ strike had continued for around 10 days, disrupting the supply of raw materials and adversely affecting industrial activity.
Aziz questioned the closure of roads during visits by foreign delegations and sports teams and during PTI-related activities, arguing that prolonged disruptions were damaging businesses and the wider economy.
Responding to the concerns, Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said negotiations with transporters had been successful and that routes had subsequently been reopened.
He said violence and political chaos were not in the country’s interest and urged opposition lawmakers to offer constructive proposals.
Senators Raise Balochistan and Former FATA Issues
The Senate also witnessed discussion on the security situation in Balochistan. Chaudhry paid tribute to the security forces and said the Pakistan Army and police had made significant sacrifices in the province.
He accused the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) of acting on behalf of an enemy country and said eliminating terrorism from Pakistani soil was a collective national responsibility.
Senator Attaur Rehman separately raised concerns over the withdrawal of tax exemptions for the former FATA and PATA districts under the federal budget. He said a previously announced allocation of Rs100 billion for the merged districts had not been fulfilled.
He argued that the merger of the former tribal areas with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had not resolved the region’s problems and called for greater attention to security and development.
The senator also urged the government and opposition to work together, saying the opposition should be allowed to perform its constitutional role.
Meanwhile, the Senate faced a quorum shortage for the second consecutive day. After a headcount showed that the required quorum was not present, the sitting was adjourned until Thursday.
The question hour was also suspended at the beginning of the sitting after the House adopted a resolution moved by Senator Shahadat Awan.
