Pakistan Supreme Court Orders Imran Khan’s Transfer to Hospital for Treatment

ISLAMABAD, Aug 18 : Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered authorities to transfer former Prime Minister Imran Khan from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad for medical assessment and treatment.

A three-member bench, headed by Justice Shahid Waheed and comprising Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, directed that Khan remain in hospital until the next hearing of his case on September 16, according to his lawyer Naeem Haider Panjutha.

The court also ordered the formation of a medical board to assess and oversee treatment for the 73-year-old former premier. It directed authorities to allow Khan’s sister, Dr. Uzma Khan, a qualified surgeon, and his personal physician, Dr. Faisal Sultan, to be present during his medical assessment and treatment.

The court further instructed authorities to facilitate meetings between Khan and his family.

The petitions seeking medical treatment were filed by Dr. Uzma Khan and other Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, who expressed concern over Khan’s deteriorating health and alleged that he was suffering from several medical conditions while in prison.

Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhary said the government would implement the Supreme Court’s order “in letter and spirit,” according to Geo News. He maintained that Khan had already been provided with the best possible medical facilities.

Khan has remained in prison since August 2023 after being convicted in several cases, which he and his PTI party have repeatedly described as politically motivated. Some of his convictions have since been suspended or overturned, while other cases and appeals remain pending.

The former international cricketer became prime minister in 2018 but was removed from office through a parliamentary vote of no confidence in April 2022.