The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ordered former prime minister Imran Khan to be transferred to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad within 48 hours for specialist medical assessment, including an eye specialist. The ruling allows weekly family visits and phone calls with his sons. Khan, 73, has been detained since August 2023 on corruption charges he says are politically motivated; his lawyers claim he now suffers severe vision loss, a claim the government disputes.
Pakistan Supreme Court Orders Imran Khan Transferred To Hospital Within 48 Hours
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has been jailed since 2023 [Reuters]
Pakistan's Supreme Court has directed that jailed former prime minister Imran Khan be moved from prison to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad for specialist medical assessment within 48 hours, after complaints about his deteriorating health.
Court Ruling and Conditions
A three-judge bench issued the order, saying authorities must ensure Khan receives prompt medical care and that an eye specialist be included in his treatment plan. The court also authorised weekly family visits and telephone calls with his sons while he is in hospital.
“We are mindful of the constitutional and legal obligation... to safeguard the life, health, dignity and security of the prisoner,” the panel wrote in its order.
Health Concerns and Disputed Claims
Lawyers for the 73-year-old cricketer-turned-politician have said he is suffering from multiple health problems, including severely reduced eyesight. In February his legal team claimed he had only 15% vision remaining in his right eye — a figure the government has disputed. Khan’s lawyers say he has been unable to access specialist care while detained.
Legal Background And Political Fallout
Khan has been held since August 2023 on multiple corruption-related charges that he and his supporters say are politically motivated. He faces accusations in more than 100 cases, from leaking state secrets to allegedly selling state gifts. Late last year, both Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were each sentenced to 17 years in prison. His arrest in 2023 sparked large protests by supporters that were met with a heavy-handed response from authorities.
Security And Public Order Warnings
The court and figures within Khan’s party, Tehreek-e-Insaf, warned supporters not to assemble outside the hospital during any transfer, saying such gatherings would breach the court order. The Pakistani government has not publicly commented on the ruling.
Khan remains a prominent figure in Pakistan’s politics despite his incarceration and continues to command a substantial political following.
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