ISLAMABAD, 18 August, 2026 (Kamran Raja): Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on Tuesday said the federal government has decided to approach the Supreme Court through a review petition, seeking modification of its order regarding the transfer of incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital for medical assessment and treatment.In a video statement, the law minister said the government had examined the Supreme Court’s order directing the transfer of the PTI founder to a private hospital and noted that certain aspects of the ruling concerned prison authorities and the Islamabad administration.His statement came hours after the Supreme Court directed Adiala Jail authorities to transfer Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital within two days for medical assessment and treatment. Tarar said the relevant points of the court order had been discussed with the jail authorities and the Islamabad administration. According to him, the authorities believe the order does not fall within the legal framework governing the provision of medical facilities to convicted prisoners under prison laws.

The law minister said the government would seek modification of the order so that Imran Khan could instead undergo a medical assessment at a government hospital. He argued that if one prisoner were taken to a private hospital, questions would arise regarding thousands of other prisoners who also suffer from health-related problems. According to Tarar, the law provides that a medical board determines whether a prisoner should be treated inside the jail or transferred to a hospital. If the board recommends treatment outside prison, the prisoner is taken to a government hospital, he said. “Until evidence is received that government hospitals are unable to provide the required treatment, such arrangements are not made,” the law minister said. Tarar maintained that the Supreme Court’s order could create several complications and questioned whether the same arrangement would have to be extended to all prisoners requiring medical treatment.He said the federal government would approach the Supreme Court to remove the ambiguity and seek modification of the order in accordance with the applicable prison laws. Imran Khan, 73, has remained incarcerated since August 2023 following convictions that he and his party describe as politically motivated. Since his removal as prime minister in April 2022 through a no-confidence vote, he has faced multiple legal cases.