PTI files contempt petition after Imran Khan’s hospital transfer

The Pakistan Tehreek‑e‑Insaf (PTI) announced on Monday that it has lodged a contempt petition with the Islamabad High Court. The filing comes after security forces moved former prime minister Imran Khan to a state-run hospital for a medical check‑up and then returned him to prison, an action PTI says breaches a Supreme Court directive.

According to the party’s legal team, the Supreme Court had previously ordered that Khan remain in custody while his ongoing corruption cases proceed. By taking him to the hospital, authorities, PTI argues, have effectively ignored that order and undermined the court’s authority. The petition requests that the court hold the officials responsible for contempt and issue appropriate sanctions.

The move to the hospital was reported as a routine health assessment, but PTI claims it was a calculated attempt to sideline the former premier ahead of upcoming political rallies. The party’s spokesperson emphasized that any deviation from the court’s instructions, even for medical reasons, must be subject to judicial scrutiny. “The rule of law cannot be selective,” the spokesperson said, adding that the party will pursue all legal avenues to protect its leader’s rights.

Government officials have not yet responded to the petition. Legal analysts note that contempt proceedings against state actors are rare in Pakistan, and the outcome could set a precedent for how the judiciary interacts with security agencies in politically sensitive cases. The case also arrives at a volatile moment, with PTI gearing up for a series of nationwide protests demanding Khan’s release.

The Islamabad High Court is expected to schedule a hearing in the coming weeks. If the court finds merit in PTI’s claim, it could issue directives compelling officials to adhere strictly to Supreme Court orders, potentially reshaping the handling of high‑profile detainees in the country.