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ISLAMABAD: At least three inmates of Adiala jail have approached the Islamabad High Court seeking treatment at private hospitals and greater access to their families, following the Supreme Court’s recent order directing authorities to shift former prime minister Imran Khan to a private hospital for medical examination and treatment.
The petitions before the IHC vindicate the government’s concern that the SC order in Imran Khan’s case could set a precedent for other prisoners to seek similar relief.
The federal government, in its review petition before the Supreme Court, had argued that allowing a convict to receive treatment at a private hospital could disturb the existing prison system and trigger a “floodgate” of similar applications from other prisoners.
The issue is now before the IHC, where Justice Muhammad Asif sought comments from the jail superintendent on petitions filed by prisoners Ilyas Khan, Muhammad Ismail Khan and Owais Altaf. The court also issued notices to prison authorities, and adjourned proceedings until Aug 27.
