Court Orders Hospital Transfer for Imran Khan
Pakistan's Supreme Court has directed that jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan be moved to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad within two days, according to a ruling issued on August 18. A three-judge panel ordered that the 73-year-old, who has been imprisoned since August 2023 on multiple charges, be examined by physicians at the private facility. The court also permitted Khan to meet his personal doctor, hold weekly meetings with family members, and make telephone calls to his sons.
The court order stated: "We are mindful of the constitutional and legal obligation... to safeguard the life, health, dignity and security of the prisoner." The panel further directed that an eye specialist be involved in Khan's hospital treatment, responding to longstanding complaints from his lawyers about his deteriorating eyesight.
Government Challenges the Ruling
The government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has moved to challenge the Supreme Court's decision. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar questioned the legal basis of the order, saying in a video-recorded statement: "This order is not within the four walls of the law. If the interim order is not recalled, it will open a floodgate of prisoners seeking similar relief, which under the prevalent law cannot be granted."
The government has argued that there is no clear evidence of a medical emergency requiring treatment at a private hospital and has expressed concern that granting such a facility to Khan could set a precedent for other prisoners. The Chief Commissioner of Islamabad has approached the Supreme Court to seek an early hearing of the government's review petition against the August 18 order, which the petition says raises questions of legal and constitutional jurisdiction.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Atta Tarar said the ministry had fulfilled all requirements laid down by the Supreme Court during Khan's medical examination and added that health-related matters should not be politicized. The government has not publicly commented on the ruling beyond these statements.
Family and Advisers Respond
Khan's family and supporters have long campaigned for better medical care. His lawyers have claimed that he has suffered serious vision loss in his right eye while in prison, with one lawyer stating in February that Khan had only 15% vision left in that eye after prison authorities allegedly failed to take action—a claim the government disputed. His legal team also said he has been unable to access specialist medical care during his detention.
Zulfikar Bukhari, an adviser to Khan, welcomed the court's decision, saying: "We wish it had happened sooner so his eye and general health would not have deteriorated this much."
Khan's sons, Sulaiman and Kasim, live in London and have not seen their father since 2022 because of visa problems. Kasim Khan told Reuters: "We hope the government adheres to the court orders... allows calls and issues our visas to Pakistan simply so we can come and see him."
The court and members of Khan's political party, Tehreek-e-Insaf, have warned supporters not to gather outside the hospital during his transfer, stating that such gatherings would breach the court order.
Background on Imran Khan's Detention
Imran Khan, who captained Pakistan's national cricket team before entering politics, served as prime minister from 2018 to 2022. He was imprisoned in August 2023 and has faced charges in more than 100 cases, ranging from leaking state secrets to selling state gifts. He and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were both sentenced to 17 years late last year. Several of his convictions have been suspended or overturned, while other cases and appeals remain pending. Khan denies all wrongdoing and says the cases are politically motivated. His jailing triggered large-scale protests by supporters, which were met with a crackdown by authorities.