The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its verdict on a petition challenging the criminal trial in the Toshakhana case against the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), while directing authorities to ensure his medical examination of his eye and facilitate telephonic contact with his children before February 16.
The two-member bench, comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Yahya Afridi and Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan, heard the case. Barrister Salman Safdar appeared as amicus curiae (friend of the court), while the Attorney General for Pakistan represented the state.
During the proceedings, the court appreciated the government’s performance regarding the provision of facilities to the PTI founder in jail, observing that it was commendable for the state to fulfil its responsibilities in an appropriate manner.
The bench ordered that the PTI founder’s eye examination be conducted before February 16 and also directed authorities to arrange his telephonic contact with his children within the same timeframe.
The Attorney General assured the court that all directions would be implemented.
The PTI founder expressed satisfaction over the security arrangements and food facilities provided in jail. Barrister Salman Safdar read out the recommendations included in his report and requested that the medical examination be conducted in the presence of a family member. However, the court rejected this plea. The bench clarified that if doctors recommended the provision of books for reading, they would be made available.
Chief Justice Afridi remarked that other recommendations presented in the report would be reviewed independently, and certain matters would remain pending until the Islamabad High Court announced its decision. He emphasized that the health of the PTI founder was of paramount importance and that the court would pass an appropriate order in this regard. He also noted that the government’s stance on the health issue was necessary.
Highlighting the importance of facilitating contact with the PTI founder’s children, the Chief Justice said the court was placing trust in the government to ensure compliance.
The Supreme Court also commended Barrister Salman Safdar for effectively performing his role as amicus curiae, stating that he had discharged his responsibilities diligently.
The bench further appreciated the role of friends of the court and termed the government’s provision of facilities as commendable.
During the hearing, Barrister Safdar informed the court that he had received more than a hundred calls and messages regarding the case, but treated the matter as a trust of the court and did not share any details with anyone.
Responding to the report, the PTI leadership accused the state of “committing a crime” against incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan after the Supreme Court was informed that only 15% of his vision remains in his right eye.
Speaking to media outside the SC after a hearing, PTI Secretary General Barrister Salman Akram Raja said it was impossible to keep ahold of his emotions after reading the report and said the situation had gone far beyond the law.
“A crime has been committed against Imran Khan and the state has done it and the face of this crime is Abdul Ghafoor Anjum. We will not forget this name,” Raja said, adding that Imran had issued “special instructions” to initiate legal proceedings against the former Adiala jail superintendent.
Raja claimed that pain in Imran’s eye began in November and that by December he had completely lost vision in his right eye. He alleged that despite repeated complaints, the former premier was only given eye drops and was not examined by a qualified specialist until late January.
He further alleged that the Islamabad High Court had not fixed Imran’s cases for hearing for nearly a year and demanded that his legal matters be taken up without delay.
In a separate statement, the PTI expressed “profound concern and deep anguish” over the report, calling the alleged denial of access to personal physicians a “grave and inexcusable act of negligence”.
Govt to implement order
Govt to implement court orders on PTI founder’s medical treatment, Senate told
Meanwhile, government representatives said in the Senate that it would fully implement court orders regarding Imran’s medical treatment.
Responding to a query raised by Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Allamab Raja Nasir Abbas, Prime Minister’s Special Adviser on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah said politicising an individual’s health was inappropriate and should be avoided.
He noted that the matter was already before the Supreme Court.
Sanaullah told the House that the report did not indicate denial of medical treatment, though it noted the PTI founder’s dissatisfaction and request for further examination by specialists of his choice.
He said jail records confirmed that medical examinations were conducted whenever complaints were raised and that doctors had acted according to established procedures, including referrals, where necessary.
According to Sanaullah, the Supreme Court reviewed both the prison authorities’ report and the legal counsel’s submission and observed no major discrepancies.
He assured the Senate that the government would strictly follow court directives to ensure appropriate medical care, urging lawmakers to avoid drawing political conclusions from a matter still under judicial consideration.
The PM’s adviser added that safeguarding an individual’s health remained both a legal and humanitarian responsibility.