Imran Khan Granted Medical Check-Up and Family Contact Rights by Court

Court Approves Imran Khan's Requests

Islamabad: A Pakistani court has recently approved two petitions from former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is currently incarcerated. The court has granted him permission for a medical examination and to communicate with his children residing in the UK.

Judge Shah Rukh Arjumand of the Special Court in Islamabad sanctioned both requests during a session attended by Khan's legal representatives, Usman Riaz Gill and Zaheer Abbas.

Advocate Gill emphasized that while a prior court ruling mandated a medical check-up, it should now be conducted by Khan's personal physicians under the supervision of prison staff. He also requested that regular monthly health assessments be ensured.

Lawyer Abbas noted that previous medical evaluations had already been conducted as per the Islamabad High Court's directives.

The legal team also urged the court to affirm Khan's right to communicate with his sons.

The judge approved both requests, instructing prison officials to facilitate a phone call with Khan's two sons, who live in the UK with their mother, Jemima Goldsmith.

Additionally, the court ordered that a medical examination be performed by Khan's personal doctors, with a compliance report due by April 28.

Khan, aged 72, has been in custody since his arrest in August 2023, facing challenges regarding visits from lawyers and family. His sisters have been denied access to him at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.

This situation led to a protest by his sister, Aleema Khan, outside the jail, where she informed reporters that police had previously detained her and others, leaving them in a remote area.

She stated, “If they stop us here again, we will sit right here. They deceived us last time; we won’t move today.”

When questioned about the jail administration's earlier claim that Khan did not wish to meet his family, Aleema dismissed the assertion, saying, “Is this something anyone would believe? He demanded a meeting and made noise inside the jail for it,” citing a family witness.

Aleema insisted that unless all three sisters could enter together, they would escalate their protest, stating, “We don’t accept any minus-one formula. Either we go together or not at all,” and accused jail authorities of employing delaying tactics to prevent their meeting.

Similar incidents occurred earlier this month when the sisters were obstructed at the same location, briefly detained, and later released far from the site.

In addition to family visitation issues, there is ongoing speculation regarding whether Khan has permitted certain party leaders to engage with the influential establishment to initiate discussions.

Senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Azam Khan Swati claimed that Khan had consented to negotiations. Speaking to reporters outside an anti-terrorism court in Lahore, he expressed optimism that any forthcoming dialogue would be constructive.

However, the PTI distanced itself from reports suggesting that Swati was negotiating with the military establishment. PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja clarified that such actions were not authorized by the party leadership.

He stated, “The claims of a deal between Azam Swati and the establishment have no connection with PTI. He is speaking in his personal capacity.”

Meanwhile, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, after visiting Khan, informed reporters outside Adiala Jail that Khan has made it clear he does not seek a deal and has not authorized anyone to negotiate in a manner that implies he desires one.

Gohar emphasized that Khan intends to confront all his legal challenges in accordance with the constitution and law to seek justice. He noted that Khan felt compelled to clarify this due to the prevailing impression that discussions were underway.

Gohar also announced that the party would pursue a contempt case after Khan's family members were barred from visiting him, despite the Islamabad High Court's orders.

The high court had previously mandated that Khan's family and legal team should be permitted to meet him twice weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays.