Islamabad, August 18, 2026: Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah on Tuesday described the Supreme Court’s decision to transfer incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan to hospital as an “independent” and merit-based ruling.
Speaking to journalists outside Parliament House, the PML-N senator said the PTI had taken too long to pursue legal remedies and could have secured relief earlier had it approached the courts sooner.
“The PTI placed its case before the right forum, and the decision has come on merit,” Sanaullah said, urging the opposition party to respect court decisions even when they do not go in its favour.
He also reiterated that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s offer for dialogue remained open, saying the government had been waiting for a positive response from the opposition.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Supreme Court ordered that Imran Khan be transferred from Adiala Jail to Islamabad’s Shifa International Hospital for medical assessment and treatment until September 16.
A three-member bench headed by Justice Shahid Waheed and comprising Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim issued the interim order while hearing petitions concerning Imran’s medical treatment and meetings with his family.
The petitions were filed by Imran’s sister Dr Uzma Khan, his lawyer Uzair Bhandari and PTI leader Mashal Yousafzai.
The court ordered the constitution of a medical board to assess and treat Imran, directing that Dr Uzma and his personal physician be associated with his medical assessment and treatment. The former premier’s family will bear the expenses.
Authorities were directed to transfer Imran to the hospital under tight security and complete all necessary arrangements within two days. The court also stressed that law and order around the hospital must not be disrupted during his stay.
The bench further directed that Imran’s medical report must not be used for political purposes and warned that any violation of its directions could result in withdrawal of the facilities granted to him.
Imran, 73, has remained in prison since August 2023 following convictions that he and his party describe as politically motivated. Since his removal from office through a no-confidence vote in April 2022, he has faced multiple legal cases.
While some of his convictions have been suspended or overturned, several appeals remain pending before higher courts. Imran and the PTI have consistently denied wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry assured that the government would implement the Supreme Court’s order “in letter and spirit”.
He said the ruling demonstrated that courts remained the appropriate forum for seeking legal relief and noted that PTI senators had welcomed the decision.
“The PTI has now become convinced that the courts are delivering justice,” Chaudhry said.
He maintained that the prime minister had no executive authority to act contrary to court orders and reiterated that the government’s offer for dialogue remained open.
Chaudhry urged the opposition to take the offer seriously, saying political differences should be addressed through dialogue and constitutional channels.
