Speaking in the Senate, Tariq Fazal said that if Imran Khan could not be treated at a government hospital, he could be shifted to Shifa International Hospital. He added that the government could also consider sending the PTI founder abroad for treatment, if deemed necessary.
The minister reiterated that the government had already stated in Parliament that it would comply with the Supreme Court’s decision in letter and spirit. He explained that the government had approached the Supreme Court only to seek clarification on whether the ruling applied specifically to one prisoner or to other prisoners across the country as well.
The government has only a few hours left to implement the court’s order concerning Imran Khan’s hospital transfer. The PTI has meanwhile prepared to initiate contempt of court proceedings if the government fails to comply with the directive.
PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja described Thursday as a decisive day, saying the government had withdrawn its review petition and now had no option but to arrange Imran Khan’s transfer to a hospital.
Earlier, the Supreme Court registrar had returned the government’s review petition against the hospital-transfer order with objections. Sources said the government was likely to address the objections and file a fresh petition on Thursday.
The issue of Imran Khan’s medical treatment and hospital transfer has remained a major point of contention between the government and the PTI, with the opposition party insisting that the court’s order must be implemented without delay.