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A request for an early hearing has been filed in the Supreme Court against its August 18 order concerning the transfer of PTI founder Imran Khan from Adiala Jail to a private hospital. The application was filed by the Islamabad Chief Commissioner, who has asked the Supreme Court to urgently hear a review petition challenging its earlier directions regarding Imran Khan. In the review petition, the petitioner has sought a review, amendment and withdrawal of the August 18 order. The petition specifically challenges the direction to transfer the PTI founder from Adiala Jail to a private hospital. The application also challenges the court’s directions concerning his medical examination and treatment by a medical panel. According to the petition, the matter is not limited to the provision of medical facilities. It also involves questions relating to the legal and constitutional jurisdiction of the court and the authorities concerned. The review petition raises legal questions regarding the scope of judicial jurisdiction following the 27th Constitutional Amendment. It also refers to Article 175(2) of the Constitution and relevant prison laws. The petitioner has argued that the Supreme Court’s August 18 order was subject to a specific timeline, making an early hearing of the review petition necessary. The Islamabad administration has therefore requested the apex court to take up the matter on an urgent basis and reconsider the directions concerning Imran Khan’s transfer, medical examination and treatment. The development comes as authorities seek legal clarification over the implementation of the Supreme Court’s directions concerning the PTI founder’s medical care while he remains in custody.

CHAKWAL: A departmental inquiry into the June 10-11 firing incident in Chakwal, in which nine-year-old Australian-Pakistani national Hania Ahmed was killed and her father and brother were seriously injured, has held a Crime Control Department (CCD) constable responsible for opening indiscriminate fire at the family’s car without authorisation. The 200-page inquiry report, submitted to the court of Magistrate Rehana Kausar, states that the accused constable allegedly opened fire on the vehicle “with the intention to kill” innocent civilians, without the permission of his superior officer and beyond the scope of his assigned duty. Hania was killed while her father, Adil Ahmed, and 10-year-old brother, Affan Ahmed, sustained serious bullet injuries in the incident. The incident occurred during the night between June 10 and 11 near the CCD police station in Chakwal. According to police, two armed men were allegedly attempting to rob the Australian-Pakistani family when the CCD constable mistakenly opened fire on their vehicle, believing the suspects were fleeing in it. The inquiry report, however, rejected the constable’s claim that he had fired in self-defence against the alleged robbers. According to the inquiry report, the accused constable told investigators that he was standing near the main gate of the CCD police station when he heard a commotion and came outside. He claimed that he saw a white car parked in the street and two armed men allegedly involved in a robbery. He said one of the suspects fired at him, prompting him to return fire. He further claimed that he took cover behind a wall and that the vehicle then sped towards Islamia Chowk. He allegedly followed the car after taking a lift on a private motorcycle. The inquiry report said Duty Officer Inspector Jahanzeb Khan rejected this account. According to the inspector, the constable fired the official rifle without seeking permission from him or any other senior officer and subsequently pursued the vehicle on a private motorcycle without authorisation. Three other police officials present at the station at the time also reportedly corroborated the inspector’s statement. The inquiry team concluded that the constable’s claim that he had fired at the alleged robbers in self-defence was contrary to the facts established during the investigation. According to the report, investigators recovered 14 pistol bullet casings and 13 casings from a Kalashnikov-type weapon from the scene. Statements of 34 witnesses have been incorporated into the inquiry report, including that of eyewitness Ahmed Nawaz, a resident of Chakwal’s Circular Road area, where the incident took place. Nawaz told investigators that he was returning after attending a funeral prayer when, upon reaching the CCD police station, he saw an armed constable carrying a Kalashnikov fire repeatedly at a car travelling ahead. He later learned that the family travelling in the vehicle was related to him. The inquiry report also states that the final opinion of the Punjab Forensic Science Agency regarding the bullets fired from the weapons, the bullets recovered from Hania, Adil and Affan, and the blood samples is still awaited. A police officer said the formal trial in the case is expected to commence in September following the August judicial recess. The inquiry report identifies the two alleged robbers as Muhammad Abbas and Muhammad Fayyaz. Police said both were previously involved in criminal cases, with Abbas facing 15 cases and Fayyaz 12. According to the CCD, both men were killed on the night of June 11 in an alleged police encounter in Chakwal. Police claimed they were killed by firing from their own accomplices. Post-mortem reports, however, showed that both men had sustained gunshot wounds to the head. A CCD official said Abbas had also been arrested in connection with two robbery cases in Chakwal in 2021. The inquiry report states that before allegedly targeting the Australian-Pakistani family, the two suspects had robbed two shops. Following their deaths, the shop owners and a woman who had allegedly been robbed of her gold earrings identified them from photographs, according to the report. Adil Ahmed, a resident of Dhudial village in Chakwal, has been living in Perth, Australia, with his family for several years. He is an engineer, while his wife is a dentist. Hania was a Year 4 student at the Australian Islamic College in Perth. The family had arrived in Pakistan in May. Adil and his wife subsequently travelled to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj, leaving their children with their grandparents. They returned from Saudi Arabia on June 10. On the same day, the family rented a car from a rent-a-car business in Dhudial for 10 days to travel during their stay in Pakistan. That night, Adil’s father-in-law, retired Colonel Muhammad Khan, hosted a dinner at his residence. The family left for home in the rented vehicle after attending the gathering, after which the firing incident occurred. According to Hania’s post-mortem report, the nine-year-old suffered 11 injury marks on different parts of her body, including bullet wounds. Doctors who conducted the post-mortem examination concluded that she died from massive blood loss caused by deep firearm injuries.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei has said Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir will visit Tehran tomorrow. According to a statement issued by the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Baghaei said the visit is part of Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to promote peace and security in the region. He said the visit aims to further strengthen relations between Iran and Pakistan. During his stay, Field Marshal Asim Munir is expected to meet with senior Iranian officials. Baghaei also said Pakistan is playing a mediating role in efforts to end the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States. The Iranian Foreign Ministry said Pakistan continues to pursue diplomatic efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability in the region. Meanwhile, an Iranian news agency reported that Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, held a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi yesterday. During the call, the two officials discussed the regional situation and developments in the ongoing conflict. Earlier, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that Iran’s enemies had sought to turn the country into another Venezuela, but their plan had failed.

An informed source familiar with political and government developments has categorically rejected speculation about any possible “deal or relief” for former Prime Minister Imran Khan, as well as reports of differences between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir. The source described the possibility of both developments as “zero,” amid intense speculation following the Supreme Court’s order concerning Imran Khan’s medical treatment. It had been expected that Imran Khan would be shifted to Shifa International Hospital for treatment. However, instead of being taken to Shifa International, he was transferred to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and later returned to Adiala Jail. The development triggered speculation in political circles about whether the issue was linked to a possible deal or some form of relief for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder. When specifically asked whether there was any possibility of a deal or concession for Imran Khan, the informed source gave a clear one-word response: “Zero.” The source was also asked about reports and speculation regarding differences between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir. The response was again: “Zero.” According to the source, such speculation is not unusual in Pakistan. Political developments involving the civilian and military leadership have historically been interpreted through the lens of possible deals, concessions or disagreements between the civilian government and the military establishment. The source said that whenever an unusual political development takes place, speculation immediately emerges that a behind-the-scenes deal may be under discussion or that differences have developed between the civilian and military leadership. However, the source stressed that the current political and institutional arrangement should not be viewed through the lens of Pakistan’s past political experiences. Referring to the political setup that took shape around three to four years ago, the source said the relationship between the civilian government under Shehbaz Sharif and the military leadership was “completely different” from arrangements witnessed in the past. The source also suggested that many reports currently circulating may reflect the wishes or expectations of certain individuals rather than the actual situation on the ground.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has filed a contempt of court petition in the Supreme Court over the hospital transfer of party founder and former prime minister Imran Khan. The petition was filed by PTI lawyers Uzair Bhandari and Salman Akram Raja. In the petition, PTI has requested the Supreme Court to initiate contempt proceedings over the alleged violation of its August 18, 2026 order. The party has claimed that the court’s directions regarding Imran Khan’s medical treatment and hospital transfer were not properly implemented. PTI has asked the court to issue show-cause notices to those allegedly responsible for violating the order. It has also requested that the respondents be directed to appear personally before the Supreme Court and explain their position. The party has further sought a declaration that the respondents are guilty of contempt and requested punishment under the law if the alleged violation is established. The petition also calls for Imran Khan to be immediately transferred to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad for a medical examination. PTI has urged the court to ensure that its previous order is fully implemented and has requested the appointment of a judicial officer or local commission to monitor compliance with the court’s directions. The petition comes after controversy over the implementation of the Supreme Court’s order concerning Imran Khan’s medical treatment. He was expected to be shifted to Shifa International Hospital but was instead taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) before being returned to Adiala Jail. The development triggered fresh political debate and raised questions within PTI over whether the Supreme Court’s directions had been followed. The party has now sought judicial intervention and legal action against those it believes failed to comply with the order.

Uzma Khan, sister of incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan, said Friday that the PTI founder had complained of health problems that he believed were connected to his prolonged solitary confinement. She made the remarks during a press conference in Islamabad alongside Imran’s personal physician, Dr Faisal Sultan, following his transfer to hospital for a medical examination. Uzma said she and Dr Sultan were asked to reach Adiala Jail on Friday evening after receiving a phone call. According to her, they arrived at the prison at around 8pm to 8:30pm. She said they were taken to a room belonging to a deputy superintendent of police. After some time, she alleged, Dr Sultan was asked to leave the room with a police official while she was taken separately by a female police officer. Uzma said police officers did not explain where she was being taken or provide clear information about Dr Sultan. She was eventually taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), despite the Supreme Court directing that Imran be shifted to Shifa International Hospital for a medical checkup. According to Uzma, officials told her the visit to Pims was related to a follow-up examination of Imran’s eye condition. She described the hospital environment as unusually dark and said she was taken through the building with the help of a mobile phone flashlight before being brought to an office. Uzma said she was later taken upstairs, where she unexpectedly saw her brother. She recalled that Imran appeared surprised and shocked to see her after a long period apart. He reportedly introduced her to the doctors as his sister, saying they were meeting after about 10 months. Uzma said she informed Imran that he had been brought for a medical examination and was expected to be taken to Shifa International Hospital afterward. She also asked about Dr Sultan but said she was not given a clear answer. The examination eventually focused on Imran’s eye. Uzma said several doctors were present, although she was familiar with only one of them, whom she identified as Dr Arif. Imran has previously received treatment at Pims following the diagnosis of right central retinal vein occlusion, an eye condition identified earlier this year. The Supreme Court had directed authorities to arrange Imran’s medical examination while also instructing that information about his health should not be used for political purposes.

Security has been intensified around Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad as the deadline approaches for the government to comply with a Supreme Court directive regarding the transfer of PTI founder Imran Khan for medical treatment. A significant number of police personnel and senior officers were deployed outside the hospital on Thursday. Officials inspected security arrangements and cleared roads around the facility of parked vehicles. The heightened security comes ahead of the midnight deadline set under the Supreme Court’s order issued on Tuesday. The court directed authorities to shift Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital for medical treatment and also ordered arrangements for weekly meetings between him and his family. The federal government has challenged aspects of the order through a review petition, describing the decision as discriminatory and raising legal concerns over its wider implications. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said the government still had time until midnight to implement the order. He said the responsibility for making arrangements rested with the Islamabad administration and that officials were working on the matter. Speaking in the Senate, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the government would follow the Supreme Court’s decision. He said the government had no intention of preventing Imran Khan from receiving necessary medical treatment. According to the minister, existing rules generally provide for convicted prisoners to receive medical care through government hospitals. However, he said a legal question concerning the scope of such arrangements was currently before the Supreme Court. Fazal said that if the required treatment was not available at a government hospital, the authorities would have to arrange treatment at Shifa International Hospital or another facility with better medical capabilities. He stressed that the government would comply with the court’s final determination regarding the matter. The minister also addressed concerns about the health of PTI leader Dr Yasmin Rashid. He said the government was concerned about her condition and would again contact the Punjab government and prison authorities to obtain an updated assessment. Meanwhile, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said the government’s review petition was expected to be dealt with by the Supreme Court. Sanaullah said the government had raised technical and legal objections to parts of the court’s order. He argued that the decision could create difficulties for the broader judicial system if similar applications were filed by other prisoners seeking treatment at private hospitals. He maintained that the government would respect whatever decision the Supreme Court reached on its review petition. According to sources, the Supreme Court’s registrar’s office had returned the review petition after raising an objection concerning the completion of required paper books. The government was expected to address the objections and resubmit the petition, with possible amendments to its contents. The development has triggered a fresh dispute between the government and PTI over implementation of the court order. Imran Khan’s lawyer, Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry, announced that he would approach the Supreme Court with a contempt petition if the government failed to transfer his client to the hospital. The lawyer accused the government of delaying implementation of the court’s directive and said the legal team was preparing the contempt proceedings. He also visited Adiala Jail to obtain Imran Khan’s signatures on the required documents, including the contempt petition and power of attorney. Earlier, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja claimed that the government had withdrawn its review petition after objections were raised by the Supreme Court’s filing branch. Raja demanded immediate implementation of the August 18 order and argued that there was no legal justification for further delaying Imran Khan’s transfer. The government, however, maintained that the legal process concerning the review petition was still underway and that it would act according to the law and the final position of the Supreme Court. Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khanum also reached Adiala Jail amid the ongoing developments.

ISLAMABAD: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry has urged Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to engage in dialogue with the government, saying Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s invitation for talks remains on the table. Speaking in the Senate, Chaudhry said the government was ready to hold discussions with the opposition if PTI was serious about negotiations. He said opposition leaders could meet the prime minister or raise the matter in parliament. He also suggested that the opposition leader in the Senate could hold discussions with PML-N Senator Rana Sanaullah. Later, Chaudhry, Sanaullah and Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar met Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas and National Assembly Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai at Parliament House. Sanaullah said the meeting was linked to a letter written by Achakzai to Prime Minister Shehbaz. He said the government representatives had met the opposition leaders to discuss the prime minister’s response. The government and PTI have remained politically divided since the 2024 general elections. Disputes between the two sides have included demands for investigations into political protests, as well as issues concerning PTI founder Imran Khan’s health and continued detention. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has also agreed to intensify political contacts with opposition parties. A senior PPP delegation is scheduled to meet Achakzai and Allama Nasir Abbas at the Opposition Leader’s Chamber in Parliament House on Tuesday. The meeting is expected to focus on parliamentary affairs and strengthening political engagement between the government-aligned PPP and opposition leadership. PPP leaders Sherry Rehman, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Saleem Mandviwalla and Naveed Qamar are expected to attend. Naveed Qamar said the talks would focus on strengthening parliament, improving coordination and reinforcing the role of parliamentary committees.