Pakistan’s Supreme Court ordered Tuesday that former Prime Minister Imran Khan be transferred from jail to Shifa International Hospital for a medical check-up [1].
The ruling comes after years of legal battles and political tension surrounding the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), who has been imprisoned for more than three years [3].
The court ordered the transfer from Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad on Aug. 18 [1], [2]. According to the court, Khan will remain at the facility for one month [1].
The order follows reports regarding Khan's health while in custody. Jail reports flagged issues with blood pressure [5], while other medical records noted symptoms of anxiety and palpitations [6]. These concerns prompted the court to ensure the former leader receives specialist care outside the prison system.
Khan's political party, PTI, had previously demanded his immediate transfer after the jail reports surfaced [5]. The court's decision resolves a period of disputed access to medical specialists for the former prime minister.
Security arrangements for the transfer from Lahore to Islamabad have not been detailed, but the move marks a significant shift in Khan's conditions of confinement since his arrest.
“Pakistan’s Supreme Court ordered Tuesday that former Prime Minister Imran Khan be transferred from jail to Shifa International Hospital”
This judicial intervention highlights the ongoing tension between Pakistan's judiciary and the state's management of high-profile political prisoners. By mandating a month-long stay at a specific private hospital, the Supreme Court is asserting oversight over the physical wellbeing of the country's most prominent opposition figure, potentially mitigating risks of further political instability triggered by a health crisis in custody.
