ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) approached the Supreme Court to transfer PTI founder Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, for treatment of eye ailment. Sardar Latif Khosa, senior advocate and party leader, filed an application on behalf of the former premier before the Supreme Court in the Toshakhana criminal case under Rule 35(6) of the Supreme Court Rules, 2025. The move comes after Imran underwent a government-facilitated follow-up treatment for his eye issue. The apex court has been asked that Imran be “immediately shifted to Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, for proper treatment of his eyes from a retina specialist”. The plea also sought Imran’s access to his personal physicians Dr Faisal Sultan and Dr Aasim Yusuf, “who may be associated with all the procedures of examination and treatment”. It further prayed that Imran’s family members be informed and granted reasonable access during his medical treatment, and that his legal counsel be provided with attested copies of all medical reports and examinations. It further sought regular access for his lawyer to ensure effective legal representation. The petition also requested that Imran’s lawyer be provided with attested copies of medical reports and checkups carried out regarding the ex-premier. The lawyer may also be “granted reasonable access to his client for updated instruction for his effective representation before this Honourable court and to enable complete justice to the petitioner,” it added. It is mentioned in the application that Imran was 73 years old, adding that “his advancing age and declining health are matters of grave concern not only for his family but for the people of Pakistan at large”. “The conduct of a medical examination in secrecy, without notice to the family or independent doctors, has given rise to serious apprehensions,” he contended. Referring to Imran’s Tuesday hospital visit, the application pointed out that the procedure was conducted in the absence of the former premier’s personal physicians, family members, and lawyers. “Nothing is known regarding the outcome of the petitioner’s medical examination and or procedures conducted in Pims hospital. Such secrecy is mind-boggling and not acceptable on any hypothesis,” he added. The application pointed out that the February 15 examination at Adiala jail, where Imran is imprisoned, was also conducted in the absence of his family members, personal doctors, or legal representatives. It rejected the government’s claims of certain family and party members voluntarily choosing not to come despite being informed as “wholly incorrect and unrealistic”. “At no stage were the petitioner’s family members, personal physicians, or counsel informed. In fact, when the petitioner’s sisters approached the authorities, they were denied access. Instead, a panel of handpicked doctors was formed to conduct the examination,” the plea asserted. The application recalled that in a February 16 communication through him, Imran requested the Chief Justice of Pakistan, “seeking appropriate orders for compliance of his medical examination and shifting to the Shifa International Hospital for treatment of his ailment as no retina specialist is available in Pims”. The counsel argued: “The insistence of the petitioner’s treatment from Pims hospital where no retina specialist exists, continued exclusion of the petitioner’s family and personal medical practitioners from information concerning his health has created unavoidable doubts. “Such secrecy not only undermines confidence in the medical process but is also causing unrest and distress among his family members, friends, and supporters,” the petitioner stated. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026