Imran Khan’s sister, Dr Uzma Khan, has filed a second Imran Khan contempt petition in the Supreme Court, accusing authorities of failing to comply with the top court’s August 18 order regarding the incarcerated former prime minister’s medical treatment and meetings with family members.
In her latest petition, Dr Uzma argued that Imran Khan has still not been permitted to meet his family despite the Supreme Court’s directions. She also maintained that authorities have not provided him with an opportunity to speak with his sons by telephone.
Family Denied Meeting With Imran Khan
According to the petition, Dr Uzma, Aleema Khan and Qasim Zaman have been prevented from meeting the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder in jail.
The petitioner has submitted additional documents along with the contempt case and filed two miscellaneous applications requesting that further material be placed on the court record.
The Imran Khan contempt petition comes amid continuing concerns from his family and supporters about his access to medical care and contact with relatives while he remains incarcerated.
Imran Khan has been in prison since August 2023 after facing convictions in several cases. He and his political party have repeatedly described the legal proceedings against him as politically motivated. Since his removal from office in April 2022 following a no-confidence vote, the former premier has faced a series of legal cases.
Earlier Petition Over Hospital Transfer
Dr Uzma had already approached the Supreme Court with a contempt petition on August 25. That case concerned the authorities’ decision to transfer Imran Khan to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for a medical examination instead of Shifa International Hospital.
The Supreme Court’s August 18 order had directed authorities to transfer the former prime minister, who was being held at Adiala Jail, to Shifa International Hospital for a medical examination.
Dr Uzma’s first petition alleged that the authorities had failed to follow the court’s instructions by sending Imran Khan to PIMS instead.
The latest Imran Khan contempt petition expands the dispute beyond medical treatment and focuses on the former premier’s access to his family and communication with his sons.
The new plea was filed two days after the Supreme Court rejected an application submitted by Dr Uzma seeking an early hearing of her earlier contempt petition regarding her brother’s hospital transfer.
Court Orders on Jail Conditions
The latest development also comes shortly after an Islamabad High Court ruling concerning the jail conditions of Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi.
A day before Dr Uzma filed the new petition, the Islamabad High Court directed jail authorities not to keep Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi in solitary confinement. The court disposed of petitions that had challenged their alleged isolation while in custody.
Justice Khadim Hussain Somroo announced the verdict that had previously been reserved on petitions seeking to declare the alleged solitary confinement of the former first couple illegal.
One petition had been filed by Aleema Khanum on behalf of Imran Khan, while another was submitted by Mubashra Khawar Maneka, Bushra Bibi’s daughter.
Growing Legal Focus on Prison Rights
The Imran Khan contempt petition highlights the continuing legal battle over the former prime minister’s treatment while in custody. His family has repeatedly used the courts to raise concerns about access to medical facilities, meetings and communication.
At the centre of the latest case is the allegation that authorities have not fully implemented the Supreme Court’s August 18 directions. Dr Uzma is asking the court to take notice of what she considers non-compliance with its order.
The case could therefore provide another opportunity for the Supreme Court to examine whether its previous directions have been properly followed by the relevant authorities.
The dispute also reflects the broader legal challenges surrounding Imran Khan, whose imprisonment has remained a major political issue in Pakistan. His supporters have consistently argued that he should receive access to legal protections and facilities available under the law, while authorities have continued to deal with his imprisonment through the judicial process.
The Imran Khan contempt petition adds another layer to the former premier’s ongoing legal proceedings. Its central issues are his access to family members, telephone communication with his sons and compliance with the Supreme Court’s previous directions.
The proceedings will determine how the court responds to the allegations and whether further directions are issued to ensure that its August 18 order is implemented.
