PTI lauds SC decision with regard to leader's health

The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) on Tuesday decided to allow former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan to receive a medical check up and treatment at a private hospital after months of requests by the former PM's lawyers, who claim their cleint is in ill health. 

The Court granted the reprieve on what it said were humanitarian grounds after an interim report by the superintendent of the Adiala Jail - where Khan is being held - said that the former PM may require more substantive medical care than is available and after a report by the medical review board of the jail found that he may be suffering from anxiety and high blood pressure,

The report also noted that Khan would benefit from some more frequent meetings with his family, who have not been allowed to visit him on a regular basis, according to prison officials.  

A three member bench headed by Justice Shahid Waheed ordered that Khan be transerred to the private hospital, and also ordered the formation of a four member medical board to oversee the former PM's health condition, headed by his personal physician, Dr Faisal Sultan. It is likely that Khan's sister, Dr Usma Khan will be associated with the board in some way. The Court noted that Khan's family will bear the cost of any private treatment and any reports will remain confidential. 

“We assure the court that the medical report will remain completely confidential,” PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said. The court further directed that no political activity, media talks or press conferences be held outside the hospital.

The government, in turn, has filed an appeal against the decision, claiming that the former PM is a regular prisoner and doesn't merit special consideration, irrespective of his previously held positions.