SC’s 18th August order: There’s no evidence that Naqvi interfered with the implementation: counsel

ISLAMABAD: There is no direct evidence that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi interfered with the implementation of the Supreme Court 18th August order, said Dr Uzma Khan’s counsel.

Karamat Uzair Bhandari, who has filed contempt petition against the federal government and the Adiala Jail official, clarified that contempt petition has been submitted by Dr Uzma Khan, not the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

He shared with Business Recorder: “The Secretary Interior, amongst others, was the official responsible for the implementation of the Supreme Court Order, not Mohsin Naqvi directly. Naqvi could have been made a party if there was evidence that he did something to interfere with the implementation of the order (like the Law Minister or the Information Minister, both of whom are parties).”

The senior counsel said in the absence of such evidence, Naqvi could not have been impleaded. However, if such evidence surfaces later or if the court thinks appropriate, he can be made a party subsequently. He said; “The decision not to make Naqvi a party was taken purely on legal grounds. I don’t know why it is being made into a political issue.”

Sources familiar with the matter said Naqvi’s name was not included in the petition, “as he has been involved in efforts to resolve the issue. He has focused on facilitating a settlement rather than obstructing the implementation of the Supreme Court’s order,” they added.

Uzma Khan, on Saturday filed a petition through senior advocate Karamat Uzair Bhandari, under Articles 187 and 204 of the Constitution, read with Order XXIX rules 1 and 2 and Order XXXV rules 5 and 6 of the Supreme Court Rules, 2025, and Sections 3 and 4 of the Contempt of Court Ordinance, 2003.

She made Chief Commissioner Islamabad, (retd) Lieutenant Sohail Ashraf, Interior Secretary Ahmed Raza Sarwar, Punjab Inspector General Prisons Mian Salik Jalal, Adiala Jail Superintendent Sajid Baig, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as respondents.

PTI General Secretary Salman Akram Raja on August 22, while talking to local media said: “If Mohsin Naqvi is not involved in the decision-making or if there is no evidence of his involvement, then he has not been named as a party.”

“In [a case of] contempt of court, it is essential that the people whom you are accusing made the decision to disobey the court or had a part in it. Whoever they are, and if any new evidence comes forward, we can do that (name party),” Raja added, reiterating that the plea was “purely a professional decision”.

The petition urged the Supreme Court to initiate contempt proceedings against the respondents for their willful, deliberate and contumacious violation of August 18 order by not shifting PTI founder Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital.

The petitioner said that refusal to implement the Order is depriving the petitioner and Imran Khan of their fundamental rights, and in addition to initiation of contempt proceedings against the respondents, it is imperative that appropriate steps be taken to implement the Order forthwith.

Uzma Khan requested the SC to depute an officer of the court or appoint a local commission to ensure that Imran was immediately shifted to Shifa International Hospital for his medical examination in accordance with the August 18 order.

The petitioner maintained that she has independent standing to file the instant petition, not only under law, but also in terms of paragraph 14(d) of the SC Order, which states; “If [Mr. Niazi] or his family members have any grievance concerning the implementation of this order, they shall also be at liberty to move an appropriate application before this Court.”

The petition mentioned that Imran Khan, at present, is unable to file such a petition on account of the refusal of the Adiala Jail’s authorities, particularly Superintendent Jail, to allow him to execute a vakalatnama in favour of the Advocate-on-Record.

While all eyes were on Shifa International Hospital, a private medical facility, during the early hours of Friday, the government quietly moved Imran Khan to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for a medical check-up in, ostensibly due to security concerns, following which he was taken back to Adiala jail.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, on Monday after meeting the SC Registrar, while speaking to reporters outside the Supreme Court, confirmed he met with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi adding that such meetings take place, but said “details could not be disclosed.”

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026