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ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has fixed September 16 for hearing a contempt petition filed by Uzma Khanum, sister of PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan, over the alleged non-implementation of the court’s order regarding his medical treatment. The petition was submitted after the government took Imran Khan to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) instead of shifting him to Shifa International Hospital, as directed by the Supreme Court in its August 18 order. The court had also directed arrangements for regular meetings between Imran Khan and his family. PTI had challenged the government’s decision and filed a contempt petition through Uzma Khanum. The petition was returned after the Supreme Court registrar raised certain objections. The party later resubmitted it after addressing the objections. Speaking outside the Supreme Court, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan said the party wanted the matter to be heard at the earliest. He said the PTI founder’s health remained the party’s primary concern. Gohar urged the authorities to facilitate meetings between Imran Khan and his family members. He maintained that the Supreme Court’s August 18 order had not been implemented in its original form. Uzma Khanum also submitted an application seeking an early hearing. She expressed concern over what she described as a deterioration in Imran Khan’s health and argued that further delay could have serious consequences. The application alleged that the government had failed to follow the Supreme Court’s directions. It maintained that if authorities required clarification about the order, they should have approached the court instead of taking a different course of action. The government, meanwhile, has filed a review petition challenging the August 18 order. It has described the directive as discriminatory and sought its reconsideration. Imran Khan was taken to PIMS on August 21 for a medical examination and was later returned to Adiala Jail after doctors declared him medically fit. The government has maintained that security concerns prompted the decision to use PIMS instead of Shifa International Hospital. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the security situation involving PTI workers affected the planned transfer. The Supreme Court had also declined an immediate hearing of petitions seeking contempt proceedings and review of its August 18 order. The government’s review petition is therefore expected to be heard according to the court’s schedule. Gohar said PTI wanted Imran Khan’s sister, Dr Uzma, and his personal physician, Dr Faisal Sultan, to be included in the medical board. He also called for the medical tests recommended by Imran Khan’s doctors to be conducted. The PTI chairman said the party was currently focusing on Imran Khan’s health rather than political matters. He described the issue as a humanitarian concern and urged the authorities to implement the Supreme Court’s directions. Gohar also questioned the detention of Imran Khan’s physician, Dr Faisal Sultan, who was taken to Shifa International Hospital. He asked why the doctor was detained for several hours while Imran Khan was not transferred to the same facility. He reiterated that a Supreme Court order should be followed unless the court itself modifies, reviews or suspends it. Gohar said PTI also recognised the importance of security arrangements and did not want any violation of security protocols. However, he claimed the party had not been informed in advance that security concerns would prevent Imran Khan’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital.

Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has said Pakistan must become a “hard state” where the Constitution and law are applied equally to everyone, stressing that strong governance is essential to defeating terrorism and ensuring lasting peace. He rejected claims that the security situation in Balochistan is worsening, calling them part of a deliberate campaign to create a false perception about the province. Addressing a detailed press conference on Friday, the military spokesperson said Pakistan’s security forces continue to make significant gains against terrorism through sustained intelligence-based operations across the country. Lt Gen Chaudhry said a total of 40,348 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) have been carried out so far this year by the armed forces, police, intelligence agencies and civil armed forces. More than 31,000 of these operations were conducted in Balochistan, reflecting the state’s continued focus on restoring peace in the province. He said Pakistan recorded 3,145 terrorism-related incidents during 2026. Of these, 1,971 incidents occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 1,148 in Balochistan and 26 in other parts of the country. The ISPR chief said security forces killed 2,084 confirmed terrorists during operations this year, describing it as the highest average in the country’s history. On average, around 10 terrorists have been eliminated every day, while nearly 200 intelligence-based operations are conducted daily. Highlighting the sacrifices made in the fight against terrorism, Lt Gen Chaudhry said 819 Pakistanis lost their lives in terrorism-related incidents this year. The victims included 303 military personnel, 194 members of police and civil armed forces, and 322 civilians. He also revealed that 28 suicide attacks had taken place across the country during the year. According to him, most of these attacks involved Afghan nationals or individuals linked to groups operating from Afghan territory. The military spokesperson said the rise in terrorist attacks should not be viewed as a sign of weakness. Instead, he argued that militant groups have intensified attacks because of increasing pressure from proactive security operations and repeated battlefield setbacks. Lt Gen Chaudhry also accused the Afghan Taliban administration of allowing terrorist groups to operate from Afghan soil, claiming cross-border support remains a major factor behind terrorism inside Pakistan. Explaining his vision of a “hard state,” he said it does not mean military rule. Rather, it refers to a country where institutions function according to the Constitution, laws are enforced fairly, and no individual or group stands above the law. Referring to Article 5 of Pakistan’s Constitution, he said loyalty to the state and obedience to the Constitution are fundamental duties of every citizen. He added that discussions about rights must also include recognition of civic responsibilities. Speaking specifically about Balochistan, Lt Gen Chaudhry said the province’s real challenge lies with certain elites and tribal leaders who seek to preserve the existing power structure. He alleged that some influential groups oppose educational and economic progress because they fear losing their traditional influence. He further claimed that some individuals benefit from illegal activities, including smuggling and other criminal networks, and promote unrest whenever the state strengthens law enforcement or cracks down on such activities. The military spokesperson reiterated that Pakistan would not negotiate with terrorist groups or those using violence for political purposes. Instead, he said the armed forces would continue engaging directly with the people of Balochistan, whom he described as the province’s true stakeholders. Lt Gen Chaudhry also alleged that hostile foreign powers are attempting to exploit Balochistan’s strategic location and natural resources by supporting anti-state elements in collaboration with local actors opposed to reforms and development. Discussing the issue of missing persons, he said the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances has received 10,901 complaints since its establishment. Of these, 9,372 cases have been resolved, with 4,896 individuals returning home, around 1,030 found in prisons, 308 confirmed dead, and nearly 2,400 complaints determined to be incorrectly reported. He added that 2,933 complaints originated from Balochistan, of which 2,767 have already been resolved.