Midnight Countdown: Imran Khan’s Shifa Hospital Transfer Hangs in Balance
Supreme Court-ordered transfer from Adiala Jail remains uncertain as Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar acknowledges midnight deadline and says arrangements are under way.
ISLAMABAD: The clock is ticking on the Supreme Court’s deadline for transferring former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital, with several hours remaining before the deadline expires at midnight.
Transfer Deadline Remains in Effect
The matter has drawn intense public and political attention as Khan remains at Adiala Jail, while authorities continue preparations and legal discussions over the implementation of the court’s directive.
The Supreme Court had ordered that Khan be shifted to Shifa International Hospital for medical examination and treatment within 48 hours.
The order also called for a medical board comprising relevant specialists and provided for access to his personal physician.
Law Minister Says Deadline Still Active
Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar’s latest remarks have added to the uncertainty surrounding the transfer.
When journalists asked him Thursday whether Khan would be shifted before the court’s deadline, Tarar acknowledged that the deadline remains active until midnight and indicated that authorities still have time to complete the transfer.
Tarar also pointed to ongoing logistical and security arrangements by the Islamabad administration, suggesting that preparations for a possible transfer are continuing.
Government Had Questioned Court Order
The minister’s latest position marks a notable shift from his initial reaction to the Supreme Court order.
Shortly after the order was issued, Tarar strongly questioned its legal basis, arguing that transferring a prisoner to a private hospital would go beyond established jail procedures.
He had also warned that allowing an incarcerated person to receive treatment at a high-end private hospital could set a precedent and potentially create demands from other prisoners across the country.
Tarar maintained that prison rules provide for medical treatment through government healthcare facilities when outside treatment is required.
PTI Demands Immediate Implementation
Meanwhile, Khan’s supporters continue to demand immediate implementation of the Supreme Court’s directive.
PTI has maintained that the court’s order must be followed within the prescribed timeframe and has indicated that it could pursue legal action if the deadline passes without the transfer.
Security arrangements around Shifa International Hospital have also reportedly been intensified, with police and Rangers deployed around the facility amid preparations for Khan’s possible arrival.
Focus Turns to Midnight Deadline
The government’s position remains under close watch as the midnight deadline approaches.
Tarar’s latest acknowledgment that the deadline is still active, coupled with reports of ongoing arrangements, has kept open the possibility of Khan being transferred before the deadline expires.
With midnight approaching, the focus now remains on whether the ongoing logistical and security preparations will culminate in Imran Khan’s transfer from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital within the court-ordered timeframe.
