IK’s hospital transfer case: PTI criticises FCC intervention to SC order

ISLAMABAD: The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Tuesday criticised the Federal Constitutional Court’s (FCC) decision to seek the record of Supreme Court proceedings concerning the transfer of party founding chairman Imran Khan to hospital.

In a statement, PTI spokesman Sheikh Waqas Akram said the move raised concerns about overlapping judicial authority and accused the government of weakening judicial independence through the 26th and 27th constitutional amendments.

He urged the FCC not to interfere in matters already pending before the Supreme Court, which was due to resume proceedings in the case.

The government has defended the constitutional reforms, while the PTI has repeatedly opposed the amendments, alleging that they undermine judicial independence and serve political interests.

Akram also questioned Chief Justice Supreme Court of Pakistan Yahya Afridi’s handling of Imran Khan’s medical treatment and asked why contempt proceedings had not been initiated over what the PTI described as the non-implementation of a Supreme Court order.

He reiterated the party’s demand for Khan to be shifted to a private hospital for comprehensive medical treatment, including access to his personal doctors and specialists.

Meanwhile, the PTI spokesman accused the government of targeting party workers through arrests, raids and restrictions on political activities.

He also criticised the authorities’ treatment of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi during his visit to Lahore.

Akram said restrictions on the PTI’s planned political activities, including its September 27 march, violated constitutional guarantees relating to freedom of movement and peaceful assembly.

The government has previously cited security and law-and-order concerns when imposing restrictions on political gatherings.

The PTI also criticised the government’s latest increase in petroleum prices, rejecting its fuel relief package as inadequate.

Akram called for the price increases to be reversed and for measures to provide sustained relief to consumers.

The opposition party reiterated its demand for the release of Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi and other political prisoners, saying their continued detention was contributing to political tensions.

Akram said the political and economic problems of the country could not be resolved through constitutional changes or confrontation among state institutions.

He called for constitutional rule, democratic legitimacy and independent institutions, urging all state institutions to remain within their constitutional jurisdictions.

“No government or public office-holder should be above the Constitution,” he said.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026