DND Report
The Supreme Court of Pakistan’s order concerning the medical examination of convicted former Prime Minister Imran Khan Niazi, who is convicted in corruption cases and is in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi, and his treatment at a private hospital has provided precedence for other convicts to seek medical treatment at private hospitals by citing the Supreme Court’s August 18 decision.
It may be recalled that the Supreme Court directed the government to facilitate Imran Khan’s medical examination at a private hospital in Islamabad. The issue subsequently became politically contentious as PTI supporters and leaders sought to gather around the hospital, while authorities expressed concerns over security and law-and-order implications.
According to available information, several other prisoners at Adiala Jail have approached the Islamabad High Court seeking medical treatment through medical boards and at private hospitals, similar to the relief granted to the former prime minister. The prisoners have sought relief by citing the Supreme Court’s August 18 decision concerning the PTI founder.
In their petitions, the prisoners have argued that everyone is equal in the eyes of the law and, therefore, the same principle should be applied to the medical treatment of other sick prisoners that was adopted in the case of the former prime minister.
They have pleaded that the Supreme Court’s August 18 decision allowing the former prime minister to undergo medical examination and treatment at one of Islamabad’s leading private hospitals should also be extended to them. They maintained that the same principle should be adopted for the treatment of other sick prisoners incarcerated in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi.
Petitioner Owais Altaf, an under-trial prisoner at Adiala Jail facing charges under Section 489-F, complained of rheumatic fever, arthritis, and back and joint pain. He requested treatment at Shifa International Hospital or Quaid-e-Azam International Hospital. He also sought the formation of an independent medical board comprising specialists from private hospitals, similar to the medical arrangements offered to Imran Khan. Owais Altaf’s petition also sought comprehensive medical tests, medicines, any necessary surgical procedures, and follow-up treatment at private hospitals.
Another petitioner, Ilyas Khan, an under-trial prisoner at Adiala Jail facing murder and attempted murder charges, stated in his petition before the High Court that he was suffering from serious medical conditions, including hemophilia A, gastrointestinal bleeding, and severe anemia. He requested the formation of a medical board comprising doctors from private hospitals specializing in blood disorders and gastroenterology.
Ilyas Khan also requested that he be transferred to Shifa International Hospital, Quaid-e-Azam International Hospital, or any other private hospital equipped with the required medical facilities.
In both petitions, the counsels for the petitioners argued that everyone is equal in the eyes of the law and that the same principle should be applied to the medical treatment of their clients.
