AJK gears up for second phase of elections

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced that it will approach the Supreme Court over what it describes as the government’s failure to implement its order regarding Imran Khan’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital. PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said the party would file a contempt petition on Saturday. He alleged that the authorities did not comply with the court’s directions and failed to constitute the medical board ordered by the Supreme Court. The development follows the government’s decision to take Imran Khan to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for a medical examination instead of Shifa International Hospital. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Imran was taken to PIMS during the night between August 20 and 21 because of security concerns around Shifa Hospital. According to Tarar, doctors from Shifa were present during the examination, while a team comprising specialists examined Imran and declared him medically fit. He said Imran was later taken back to Adiala jail at around 5am. Raja rejected the government’s explanation, saying there was no unusual rush on the roads leading to Shifa. He also claimed that Imran’s personal physician, Dr Faisal Sultan, was taken to the hospital in a police-escorted vehicle. The PTI leader said the party’s political and parliamentary committees were meeting to determine its next course of action. He also reiterated that PTI had already announced plans for street protests over the issue. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan separately criticised the government’s handling of the matter. He questioned how political negotiations could continue when, according to him, a clear Supreme Court order had not been implemented. Gohar said the party had been assured that the court’s directions would be followed. He argued that the order clearly required Imran to be shifted to a hospital for treatment and undergo medical tests. He also questioned why the PTI leadership and Imran’s family were not properly informed about the transfer and medical examination. “You do not shake hands like this. Negotiations do not happen like this,” Gohar said while responding to the government’s offer for political dialogue. Speaking in the National Assembly, he warned that PTI could reconsider its participation in Parliament. He said the party would decide within a few days whether it would continue attending the assembly. Opposition leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai also raised questions over the overnight transfer. He said people had expected Imran to be taken to Shifa after the Supreme Court order, but later learned that he had been taken to another hospital. Achakzai expressed concern that elements within the government could be attempting to damage prospects for political dialogue between PTI and the government. The controversy stems from a Supreme Court order issued earlier this week directing that Imran Khan be shifted to Shifa International Hospital for treatment for several days. The court also ordered weekly meetings between Imran and his family and allowed access to his personal physician. The court directed that a medical board comprising an ophthalmologist, general physician and cardiologist be formed, with Dr Faisal Sultan and Imran’s sister, Dr Uzma Khan, associated with the process. The Supreme Court also ordered that Imran’s medical reports remain confidential and should not be used for political purposes. It instructed PTI supporters and lawyers not to hold political activities or press conferences outside the hospital.