Shafaqna Pakistan: The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a second request for an early hearing of a contempt petition filed by Dr Uzma Khanum, sister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, concerning the alleged failure to implement an order for his transfer to Shifa International Hospital.
Official sources said the latest application was turned down, while the contempt petition itself remains scheduled for hearing on September 16.
The sources explained that cases are taken up according to their turn under the Supreme Court’s scheduling policy, with 94 contempt petitions currently pending before the court. As a result, Uzma Khanum’s request for an urgent hearing could not be accommodated.
They added that an earlier miscellaneous application seeking an expedited hearing of the same case had also been rejected.
Dr Uzma filed the second application before the SC on August 27, seeking an urgent hearing of her contempt petition against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other respondents over the alleged failure to implement the court’s August 18 order.
The order had directed that Imran undergo medical examination and receive treatment at Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad.
In her application seeking an early fixation of the contempt matter, Uzma urged the SC to schedule the case during the week or at the earliest possible date the following week, rather than September 16.
She warned that further delay could cause “serious and irreparable harm” to Imran.
“The subject matter of the petition concerns the life, health, dignity and physical well-being of Mr Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi, a national hero and a former prime minister, whose health is deteriorating and whose life is stated to be in jeopardy,” the application stated.
According to SC’s August 18 order, the apex court directed that Imran be shifted to Shifa International Hospital for treatment for the next few days and instructed the government to arrange weekly meetings between him and his family.
Source: Express Tribune
