Islamabad: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has directed the formation of a medical board at Peshawar Cardiology Hospital to assess murder convict Dalawar Khan’s heart condition. The court has also summoned the board’s report by March 9. Justice Aqeel Abbasi remarked during the hearing on Monday that, “You do not even have treatment for eyes in jail, how will heart treatment be provided?” The bench was hearing the convict’s plea for bail on medical grounds. Dalawar Khan’s lawyer stated that the convict suffers from a heart ailment. While Hayatabad Medical Complex recommended surgery, the prison only provides basic medicines such as Disprin. Justice Malik Shahzad inquired about the convict’s current location, to which the lawyer responded that he is in Mardan Jail. Justice Shahzad suggested forming a medical board there, but the lawyer requested Peshawar Cardiology Hospital due to lack of specialized facilities in Mardan. ONLINE
The Supreme Court accepted the request, forming a medical board consisting of cardiology doctors and ordered the report to be submitted by March 9. Dalawar Khan was one of two suspects named in a 2025 murder case in Mardan. Previous requests for medical evaluation by the trial court and Peshawar High Court were rejected, based on a report from DHQ Mardan Hospital, which had recommended no surgery.
A subsequent board at Hayatabad Medical Complex has now advised that surgery is necessary, prompting the Supreme Court intervention.
The main trial is still ongoing in the trial court, and one accused remains at large.
