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It was high drama of compliance and defiance enacted by the government. It failed to implement the Supreme Court’s order to move former prime minister Imran Khan to a private hospital for treatment. A stubborn PML-N, whose review petition had been turned down in the morning, had instead moved the incarcerated leader to PIMS and back in the darkness of night for an eye check-up. Perhaps the party is trying to send a message that Khan is being taken care of as far as medical exigency is concerned, in accordance with the court’s order. Yet the government’s decision stands in contempt of court as the stipulated provisions of the order were thrown to the wind. These include the formation of a medical board with family physicians on it, his treatment at Al Shifa International Hospital and the subsequent submission of a report to the three-member bench of the apex court.
There is little rationality behind the government’s claim that Khan could not be moved to Al Shifa owing to the outpouring of his supporters on the streets. The intent, however, seems to be an extension of the ongoing political vindictiveness. The fact that two separate convoys were constituted, with one carrying Khan’s family physician towards the private hospital while Khan himself, accompanied by his sister, was taken to PIMS in the other is deception. It could be seen as a political ploy and a deliberate message of defiance towards the superior judiciary. Thus, it remains to be seen how the august court will react as the aggrieved PTI is expected to file a contempt plea today. This episode of deceit by the PML-N, especially given that the other major coalition partner PPP had welcomed the court orders, could prove detrimental to the political thaw that was being forcasted.
The details emerging from the press conference by Imran Khan’s family have thickened the plot regarding the government’s conduct and intentions. The imprisoned leader’s complaint that he is being ‘mentally tortured’ and that his vital signs are unstable at times, is surely a point of concern. Implementing the top court’s ruling by moving Imran Khan to Al-Shifa came as an opportunity for reconciliation. The government, however, failed to grab this opportunity. Moreover, its conduct sits in defiance of the court ruling as well as the jail manual.
