Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated on August 22, 2026, that the Pakistani government fully complied with Supreme Court directives regarding the medical examination of jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, while accusing the opposition party of orchestrating contemptuous demonstrations. The information minister urged political factions to refrain from politicizing medical and legal matters following Khan’s temporary transfer from Adiala Jail to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims).
Government Position on Medical Compliance and Court Orders
Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar maintained that the administration never stopped Khan’s treatment for a single day and kept the public informed of all developments. The Supreme Court issued an order on August 18, directing authorities to transfer the former prime minister to Shifa International Hospital for an examination. Instead, authorities transferred Khan to Pims, where doctors from Shifa International Hospital were present during the evaluation.
Tarar stated that the administration ensured the implementation of the court’s order in accordance with the Constitution and law. Quoting an initial medical report, the minister reported that the PTI founder was found to be in good health following the examination, which was conducted in the presence of his sister and his doctors.
PTI Family and Opposition Allegations of Violating Court Directives
The family of the imprisoned former prime minister and the PTI strongly contested the government’s account, accusing authorities of violating the Supreme Court order. Rather than transferring Khan to the designated private medical facility, officials moved him to the government-run Pims hospital late Thursday night.
Imran Khan’s sister, Dr. Uzma Khan, and his personal physician, Dr. Faisal Sultan, held a press conference detailing the events of Thursday night after receiving a sudden call to report to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. Dr. Uzma described being separated from Dr. Sultan and transported in the dark to Pims, where she discovered her brother undergoing an eye examination. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi criticized the administration’s actions, telling reporters that the court’s decision had been ignored and announcing that the PTI would file a contempt plea.
Contempt Counter-Claims and Security Concerns
Addressing the legal maneuvering, Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar dismissed the PTI’s contempt petition as baseless. Simultaneously, the minister counter-charged that the PTI and Khan’s family committed contempt of court by gathering groups of people outside Shifa Hospital. Tarar questioned who brought the crowds to the facility, arguing that the gathering violated directives against making political statements on the matter and created a “security risk”.
Tarar added that the government raised questions in its own review petition concerning whether the same medical facilities are available to every prisoner. The information minister emphasized that the administration maintained a consistent position that health issues should remain separate from political disputes, mirroring the stance the government held when it was in opposition.
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