- Imran Khan was ordered by the Supreme Court to be moved to a hospital for examination due to health concerns raised by his party and lawyers since February.
- Khan was taken to PIMS instead of Shifa International Hospital due to security reasons in the early hours of Friday.
- A medical team including an ophthalmologist, cardiologist, and physician examined Khan and declared him medically fit.
- Khan was shifted back to Adiala jail on the morning of August 21 at approximately 5am.
- Khan's party and lawyers have raised concerns about his health since February, claiming he had 15% vision in his right eye after developing a condition that was neglected in jail.
- Khan has been incarcerated in Adiala Jail since August 2023, serving various prison sentences on corruption charges which he and his party deny.
Pakistan's Supreme Court ordered the transfer of Imran Khan to a hospital for medical evaluation amid concerns over his health. The 73-year-old former prime minister was moved to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) on August 21, where a team of doctors, including an ophthalmologist and a cardiologist, examined him and declared him 'medically fit'.123
The court's directive followed a petition from Khan's party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), citing his deteriorating health. Khan's lawyers have raised alarms about his vision, claiming he has only 15% eyesight in his right eye due to neglect in prison. The Supreme Court emphasized the need to safeguard the life, health, dignity, and security of the prisoner in its ruling.
Despite the court's order for Khan to be treated at a private facility, he was taken to PIMS due to security concerns. After a few hours, he was returned to Adiala jail, with the government asserting that no immediate medical treatment was necessary. The Supreme Court's ruling marked a significant moment for Khan, who has faced over 100 legal cases since his imprisonment in August 2023, which he claims are politically motivated.47
Khan's family and supporters have been vocal about his health issues, demanding access to specialist care. The Supreme Court's involvement has raised hopes for improved conditions for the former leader, who served as prime minister from 2018 to 2022.
The area around the hospital was heavily secured, and the court warned against politicizing Khan's hospital stay, urging his party to refrain from press conferences outside the facility.
“The court order also mandated that Khan be allowed to see his family, a right he had been denied for months; his sister Azma Khan visited him on Tuesday night. The government initially sought to review the order but its petition was returned due to incomplete paperwork.”
The Guardian
