Barrister Gohar says Imran Khan will not do any ‘deal’ as SC assures early hearing on hospital treatment plea

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan and senior lawyer Latif Khosa on Monday met the registrar of the Supreme Court (SC) and said they had been assured that a contempt petition concerning former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan would be numbered and placed before the chief justice for an early hearing.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Barrister Gohar said they had initially come to meet Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, but the he was occupied and the meeting could not take place.

He said he and Latif Khosa subsequently met the SC registrar, who assured them that the petition would be numbered on Monday and that a note would be sent to the chief justice for fixing the case for hearing.

Barrister Gohar said the case could be heard through a video link if necessary. He expressed hope that the Supreme Court would fix the matter for hearing soon.

On Khan’s hospital treatment, he said the PTI founder did not want to stay in hospital for an extended period and only wanted to undergo the necessary tests.

“Imran Khan does not want to spend even a minute in hospital; he only wants to have the tests done,” Barrister Gohar said.

He rejected speculation that the former prime minister was seeking a deal, saying, “The PTI founder does not make deals.”

“If he wanted to make a deal, he would not have spent three years in prison,” he added.

Latif Khosa said the SC had held an urgent hearing at midnight in the past, suggesting that similar arrangements could be made for Khan’s case.

“Numbers are being assigned for the founder of PTI,” he said, adding that the registrar had told them that one of the judges was currently in Lahore.

Khosa said the case could also be heard through video link, while a judge could travel to Islamabad for a day if required. The lawyers’ meeting with the registrar came amid efforts to secure an early hearing of the petition concerning Khan’s treatment and his access to medical care.

Khan was returned to prison early on Friday after doctors examined him at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and declared him medically fit. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Friday said Khan was examined by a team of qualified doctors, including an ophthalmologist, cardiologist and physician. His sister, Dr Uzma Khan, accompanied him and remained present throughout the medical examination. The minister on Saturday also accused PTI of ‘propaganda’ and misrepresentation, insisting that the decision to not take Khan to Shifa was based on security situation created by PTI supporters.

The SC on Tuesday had ordered that Khan be taken to Shifa International Hospital within 48 hours for a medical examination following concerns raised over his health. However, he was instead taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).

The development came after the SC also ordered that Khan be allowed to meet his family. His sister Noreen Khan visited him in prison on Tuesday night, while Dr Uzma accompanied him to hospital.

Khan’s lawyers have said he suffers from several health problems, including deteriorating eyesight, and has been denied access to specialist treatment. The SC had directed that an eye specialist be involved in his medical care.

The 73-year-old has been in prison since August 2023 after being convicted in corruption cases, which he and his party say are politically motivated. He has faced more than 100 cases, including allegations related to state secrets and the sale of state gifts. Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were both sentenced to 17 years in prison late last year.