PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Information and Public Relations Shafi Jan on Friday said that the federal government blatantly violated the Supreme Court’s orders regarding the transfer of PTI founder Imran Khan from the Adiala Jail to a private hospital, with the act not only being a contempt of the judiciary but also meant to undermine the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law.

In a statement, the minister said that transferring Mr Imran to the public hospital Pims instead of Shifa International Hospital as directed by the apex court was a clear manifestation of the cowardice, stubbornness and their fear among the illegitimate rulers.

He said the Supreme Court had issued clear directives for Mr Imran to remain in the private hospital and receive the required medical facilities.

“Unfortunately, instead of keeping Imran Khan in the hospital, the federal government transferred him back to Adiala Jail after the brief Pims visit, thereby openly choosing the path of contempt of court,” he said.

Mr Jan said that an application would be filed with the court seeking contempt proceedings against the federal government over its “illegal and authoritarian conduct and violation of judicial orders”.

He said the federal government would have to answer for violating the court’s orders.

“The mandate-stealing government is playing with Imran Khan’s health, which is not negligence but a serious crime. The federal government has crossed all limits of oppression through its authoritarian actions, while its continued violation of the Constitution has become intolerable,” he said.

The minister said the federal government must remember that the country cannot progress without the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law. He said the rulers who disregard the Constitution and law would ultimately have to answer for their actions.

Mr Jan claimed that federal information minister Atta Tarar lied and staged a fabricated drama to mislead the nation regarding the presence of PTI workers outside the Shifa Hospital.

“Atta Tarar and the puppet ministers have long been misleading the nation about Imran Khan’s health,” he said.

The minister said in accordance with the PTI founder’s directives, the street movement under the leadership of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi was continuing with full force.

He said CM Afridi would visit Hangu and Buner today (Saturday) and tomorrow (Sunday) and undertake visits across the country afterwards as part of the street movement.

Mr Jan said preparations for the PTI’s Sept 27 long march on Islamabad were under way and would be further accelerated.

He said the movement for Mr Imran’s release from jail and the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law would continue vigorously at every level.

Published in Dawn, August 22nd, 2026