Dr Uzma Khan, the sister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, on Thursday filed another petition in the Supreme Court, seeking an early hearing of a contempt petition filed against non-compliance with the apex court's August 18 order directing the government to shift the incarcerated former prime minister to Shifa International Hospital for a medical check-up.
She prayed to the apex court that the petition, which seeks immediate implementation of the Supreme Court order dated August 18, 2026, may be fixed for hearing at the earliest possible date - within this week or early next week - instead of September 16, 2026, in the interest of justice, protection of life and health, and due enforcement of the court's order.
Dr Uzma Khan submitted that Imran Khan's health is deteriorating in jail, alleging that in violation of the Supreme Court's order, the PTI founder was taken to PIMS instead. She contended that the matter was extremely important as it concerned her brother's health and life, and requested that Imran Khan be transferred to Shifa International Hospital for medical examination and treatment.
Earlier, on August 25, she had requested an early hearing on the contempt petition; however, the Registrar's Office rejected the petition on the grounds that there are 94 criminal original petitions of the same category pending, excluding this one, which was filed last.
In her second petition for early hearing, Dr Uzma Khan submitted that it was unclear whether the above constitutes directions by the competent authority or chief justice for fixation of the contempt matter on September 16, 2026, or simply the noting of the Registrar which has been placed before the competent authority for consideration.
"If the former is true, and the case has been fixed on September 16, 2026, it is respectfully requested that the directions be reconsidered and the matter be fixed for hearing expeditiously, either this week or as early as possible next week," Uzma Khan requested.
She submitted that the case is unique in its facts and in the manner in which the order of the apex court has been brazenly flouted, adding that it has brought the governance and judicial systems of Pakistan into critical focus internationally.
"There is nothing in the Case Fixation Policy of this Court which prevents the immediate fixation of the titled Crl OP No 8 of 2026, as prayed for herein," she contended, adding that the Fixation Policy clearly prioritises liberty-related matters, especially where they arise due to non-compliance of court orders.
In any event, the Fixation Policy allows the chief justice to pass orders for early fixation. Meanwhile, PTI lawyers Faisal Malik and Naeem Panjutha met with Supreme Court Registrar Sohail Laghari at the facilitation centre established by the apex court. The lawyers demanded that the contempt case involving the party's leaders be fixed for an urgent hearing.
The Registrar responded that a second request could not be approved on the same grounds on which the first request had been rejected. However, he told the lawyers that if new grounds had been presented in the second request, they would be reviewed.