ZW News HD
Related Articles
The petition also questions why the Islamabad High Court didn’t order Imran Khan to be moved to a private hospital.
BY Mahnoor | 12-05-2026
ISLAMABAD: Uzma Khan, sister of ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan, has asked the Supreme Court to move him to Shifa International Hospital. The request states he needs proper treatment and constant observation for his eye problem and other health issues.
The appeal, challenging the Islamabad High Court’s order from March 12, says the administration must set up a medical board to examine Imran Khan. It claims his health issues go beyond just treating the CRVO eye problem in his right eye.
It means a blood clot is blocking blood flow to the eye, which is causing the problem and could signal other health issues.
This situation is more than just treating Mr. Niazi’s current eye problem (CRVO in his right eye). The real problem is the blood clot causing it, which is dangerous because clots can travel to the heart or brain, causing serious issues like heart failure or a stroke. He needs a thorough check-up and constant monitoring, which he can’t get in jail. He needs to be in a private hospital for this. Delaying treatment for blood clots can be very dangerous, as highlighted in a 2023 report by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan called ‘The Ailing Prisoner.’ A Human Rights Watch report, ‘A Nightmare for Everyone – The Health Crisis in Pakistan’s Prisons,’ also points out the problems with prisoners getting timely and specialized medical care.
The petition also says that denying Imran Khan medical care is unfair. It points out that other political leaders in jail got good medical care and special treatment.
“This includes cases like Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari. Mr. Niazi wants to stay in Pakistan and get the best medical care available here.”
The plea also claims that the Islamabad High Court’s decision didn’t correctly understand Rule 795 of the Prison Rules, which is about family members visiting prisoners who are ill.
It’s argued that the first sentence of paragraph 14 in the contested judgment, which discusses family access, is confusing regarding its meaning, purpose, and extent. Rule 795 doesn’t just require prison officials to tell relatives when a prisoner gets seriously sick, as the judgment suggests. It also aims to enable relatives to assist and support the prisoner. A sensible interpretation of Rule 795 implies that sick prisoners’ relatives have the right to see them and ensure they receive proper care. This is only possible if they’re involved in the prisoner’s treatment and regularly updated about it. Otherwise, simply informing them of the illness is pointless; they’ll know the prisoner is sick but can’t do anything to help.
“Regardless, as stated earlier, the Prison Rules just give the basic requirements and must be considered with Constitutional rights in mind. A prisoner’s right to see their family, especially when they are sick, is widely accepted.”
The petition also says that the Islamabad High Court used a report from the Adiala Jail superintendent to decide that Imran Khan was getting regular checkups and was feeling better.
However, it claims that the same official repeatedly refused to give the former leader proper medical care and contact with his doctors, lawyers, and family.
It’s clear that the Superintendent of Central Jail, Rawalpindi, and other officials are biased against Mr. Niazi, and they’re willing to go far to violate his rights, as shown by their actions after the disputed judgment.
The petition also argues against the IHC’s decision not to move Imran Khan to a private hospital, saying that only the government, according to Prison Rule 197, can approve such moves.
This Court acknowledges, without implying any fault, that the Prison Rules are old and inadequate, failing to meet Constitutional standards. Therefore, they need revisions to align with the Constitution and Pakistan’s international legal duties.
In recent decades, the rights protected by Pakistan’s Constitution have greatly evolved due to constitutional amendments, rulings by higher courts, and international law. It’s now widely accepted that a jailed person has the right to medical treatment at an outside hospital, even by doctors they choose, if necessary.
The plea also says that the right to life, respect, and kind treatment means patients can see doctors they pick.
“The right to live, be treated with respect, and receive kind care means a person can see the doctor they choose. Because Mr. Niazi is very sick, the government can’t force him to see doctors they prefer if he wants someone else.”
This is especially concerning because his family hasn’t been allowed to see Mr. Niazi or the doctors supposedly treating him. We don’t know what treatment Mr. Niazi has received, who gave it, if it was good quality, or what the outcome was. Only his own doctors can figure that out and tell him and his family. Mr. Niazi and his family have said many times that his life and health are at risk. Even with all of this, it’s wrong to keep refusing to let independent doctors examine Mr. Niazi and to deny his family access to him.
“The court’s decision is flawed because it doesn’t explain why Mr. Niazi’s own doctors can’t see him. Instead, it just orders a medical board to be formed, without explaining why his personal doctors can’t be on the board or visit him.”
The petition also says that prisoners rely on the government for their care, and being in jail doesn’t take away their right to medical treatment.
“It’s widely accepted that when the government takes away someone’s freedom, it becomes responsible for all their needs, both legally and practically. Taking away freedom puts the government in a position of special responsibility. It must protect that person’s basic rights, including their right to life and to be treated humanely.”
The government must protect prisoners’ health by giving them needed medical care. International law says proper medical care is the least the government must do to treat prisoners humanely. Losing freedom doesn’t mean losing the right to health. Being in prison shouldn’t make people sicker or cause them physical and mental suffering.
