Former Pakistan prime minister and captain Imran Khan has been moved from Adiala Jail to a private hospital in Islamabad following an order from the country’s Supreme Court.
The 73-year-old was transferred to Shifa International Hospital in the early hours of Friday under tight security arrangements. The move comes after the Supreme Court directed the government to provide Khan with medical examination and treatment by a multidisciplinary medical board.
Supreme Court Orders Hospital Treatment
A three-member Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Shahid Waheed issued the order on Tuesday after Khan’s political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), filed a petition seeking his hospitalisation.
The petition was based on concerns over the former prime minister’s deteriorating health and called for him to receive appropriate medical treatment.
Following the court’s directive, Khan was transferred from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital. It remains unclear how long he will stay at the facility.
PTI confirmed the development in a statement, saying that Khan had been shifted to the Islamabad hospital in accordance with the Supreme Court’s order.
Government Challenges the Decision
The Pakistani government had sought a review of the Supreme Court’s decision but faced a procedural setback.
The Supreme Court registrar’s office returned the government’s petition, citing incomplete paperwork.
The government has argued that allowing Khan to receive treatment at a private hospital of his choice would be discriminatory, particularly when other prisoners may not have access to similar facilities.
According to reports, the government could submit a fresh petition after making amendments and may also challenge the registrar’s objections.
Health Concerns Raised for Months
Khan’s health has been a major concern for his party and legal team since February.
PTI representatives have repeatedly raised concerns about his medical condition while he has remained imprisoned.
At one stage, the party claimed that Khan had suffered a significant deterioration in vision in his right eye, with his eyesight reportedly reduced to around 15 percent after a condition remained untreated.
Khan was subsequently taken to the state-run Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad on several occasions for short medical visits.
The latest decision to move him to a private hospital follows months of demands from his supporters and legal representatives for more comprehensive medical care.
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Former Captains Expressed Concern
Imran’s health situation has also attracted attention from former international cricket captains.
Earlier this year, 14 former captains sent an open letter to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressing concern about Imran’s health and calling for him to be treated with dignity and basic human consideration.
The group included several prominent names from international cricket, including Greg Chappell, Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev.
Khan remains one of the most celebrated figures in Pakistan’s cricket history. He captained Pakistan during the team’s historic 1992 World Cup triumph and later entered politics, eventually becoming the country’s prime minister.
Imprisoned Since 2023
Khan has been held at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi since August 2023.
He is serving sentences related to several corruption cases, allegations that he and his political party have consistently denied.
His transfer to hospital now places his medical treatment under renewed public scrutiny, while the government and Khan’s legal team continue to disagree over the appropriate arrangements for his care.
For now, Khan will remain at Shifa International Hospital under medical supervision, with the duration of his stay yet to be confirmed.