Ruling hailed across political spectrum

Political leaders from PTI, JUI-F and other political circles on Tuesday welcomed the Supreme Court's order to shift PTI founder Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital for treatment, with several leaders calling for immediate implementation of the ruling and urging party workers to maintain peace outside the hospital. The reactions came after a three-member Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Shahid Waheed ordered that Imran be shifted to Shifa International Hospital for treatment for the next few days and directed the government to arrange weekly meetings between him and his family. The court also ordered that Imran's personal physician, Dr Faisal Sultan, be granted access to him and directed the formation of a medical board, comprising an eye specialist, a general physician and a cardiologist. His sister, Dr Uzma Khan, would also be associated with the medical board. The court directed Imran's family to bear the cost of his treatment at the hospital and instructed his family and lawyers not to share his medical report with the media. Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan ordered that the medical report be kept completely confidential. The PTI welcomed the ruling, describing it as an important step towards securing Imran's medical and legal rights. The party said Imran, his family and "millions of Pakistanis" had expressed serious concern over his health in recent weeks. The party said the Supreme Court order reinforced the demand for Imran to receive medical treatment under the supervision of specialist doctors. It said the medical board would conduct a comprehensive examination after his transfer to the hospital. The PTI also said the inclusion of Dr Sultan and Dr Uzma would be important to ensure that Imran's medical history, current symptoms and treatment were reviewed comprehensively. Regarding weekly family meetings, the party said the court's order would help ensure that Imran's legal and human rights were upheld during what it described as a difficult period. The party appealed to its workers, officials and supporters not to gather outside Shifa International Hospital following Imran's transfer. It urged them to maintain a peaceful environment outside the hospital and cooperate in ensuring full implementation of the court's orders. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi described the Supreme Court's decision as commendable and expressed hope that the order regarding Imran's hospital transfer and weekly family meetings would be implemented as soon as possible. Afridi said official reports had highlighted a deterioration in Imran's health during his incarceration. He said the decision should have been made in February, as PTI had continuously demanded his transfer to hospital as well as check-up and treatment under the supervision of his personal physicians. He said PTI would not politicise Imran's health in accordance with the court's decision and expressed hope that the judiciary's dignity and respect would also be kept in mind. He added that judges were responsible for ensuring implementation of the Supreme Court's decision. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, while speaking to reporters outside Parliament, urged the government to implement the Supreme Court's order, saying it had already taken too long. He also appealed to party workers not to gather outside the hospital to ensure that Imran's transfer and treatment could proceed smoothly. PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said the Supreme Court had relied on an assurance he gave during Tuesday's hearing that PTI supporters would not gather around Shifa International Hospital. He urged party workers to honour the promise and said their actions should not create obstacles to meetings between Imran, his sister Dr Uzma and personal physician Dr Sultan. PTI central spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram said the party expected full and immediate implementation of the Supreme Court order. Former National Assembly speaker and PTI leader Asad Qaiser also welcomed the ruling, describing it as an important step forward for Imran's constitutional and legal rights. PTI Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa President Junaid Akbar appreciated the decision and expressed hope that the government and relevant institutions would not create any hindrance to its implementation. He appealed to workers to adopt responsibility, discipline and peaceful conduct. Former federal minister Asad Umar also welcomed the decision but questioned why it had taken so long. Imran's adviser Zulfikar Bukhari, also appreciated the ruling. He said that when courts played their role, Pakistan was always the winner, while expressing hope that there would be no unnecessary hurdles. JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, when asked about the Supreme Court's decision to shift Imran to hospital, gave a brief response, saying, "It is a good thing." He said a patient with a health-related complaint should receive immediate attention and there should be no delay. Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ayin-e-Pakistan chief and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Mahmood Achakzai welcomed the Supreme Court order. Achakzai said even a person convicted of serious crimes had the right to receive medical treatment, meet their children and have access to legal counsel. Former information minister and PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry also welcomed the decision. Chaudhry praised Barrister Gohar and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi for their role in the process, saying the manner in which they handled the matter was not easy. Former interior minister Sheikh Rasheed described the Supreme Court decision as historic and said it would bring political improvement and reduce unrest. He expressed hope that those he considered unjustly imprisoned would receive similar verdicts, be freed and provided facilities.