Uzma Khan, sister of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, on Wednesday, 2 September filed a second contempt of court petition in Pakistan's Supreme Court, alleging persistent non-compliance with the court's 18 August order granting Imran Khan family access and medical care. The petition, reported by leading Pakistani dailies including The Express Tribune and Dawn, names five senior government officials as respondents.

Who Has Been Named in the Petition

The contempt plea names Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Rawalpindi Central Jail (Adiala) Superintendent Sajid Baig, Punjab Inspector General of Prisons Mian Salik Jalal, Ministry of Interior Secretary Ahmed Sarwar Raza, and Islamabad Capital Territory Chief Commissioner Sohail Ashraf as respondents. The breadth of the named officials — spanning the federal government, provincial prison administration, and the capital's civil administration — signals a deliberate attempt to hold multiple layers of authority accountable.

What the Court Had Ordered on 18 August

On 18 August, Pakistan's Supreme Court issued directions allowing Imran Khan to speak with his sons — Kasim Khan and Sulaiman Khan — virtually, twice a week, and to meet his sisters weekly. The same order also directed his transfer to Shifa International Hospital for examination and treatment by a multidisciplinary medical board.

Authorities, however, took Imran Khan to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) on 21 August instead — a direct departure from the court's directive. He was returned to Adiala Jail after doctors declared him 'medically fit,' according to reports.

Key Violations Alleged in the Petition

The petition states that Imran Khan has not spoken to his sons since March and was denied a meeting with his sisters as recently as Tuesday. No arrangements have reportedly been made for the court-mandated telephonic conversations. Uzma Khan's petition requests the court to issue specific directives to enforce its earlier order, particularly regarding family meetings and phone access.

This is the second contempt petition filed by Uzma Khan — the first was triggered by the government's failure to transfer Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital as directed. The back-to-back filings indicate that the initial petition produced no measurable change in compliance.

PTI Calls It a Violation of Superior Court Orders

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has sharply criticised jail authorities for continuing to deny family access despite standing orders from both the Supreme Court and the Islamabad High Court (IHC). The party termed the denials a 'severe violation' of judicial orders and urged prison authorities to immediately comply with the law.

Notably, the family of Imran Khan's wife, Bushra Bibi, was also reportedly denied access to her at Adiala Jail on Tuesday — suggesting a broader pattern of restricted visitation that extends beyond Imran Khan himself.

What Happens Next

With two contempt petitions now before Pakistan's Supreme Court and a documented pattern of non-compliance, the judiciary faces mounting pressure to enforce its own directives. Legal observers in Pakistan note that the repeated flouting of court orders raises fundamental questions about the rule of law and the state's willingness to implement judicial mandates in politically sensitive cases. The Supreme Court's response to this second petition is expected to be closely watched both domestically and internationally.