Pakistan's Supreme Court ordered the transfer of former Prime Minister Imran Khan from prison to a hospital for a comprehensive medical check-up.
The ruling marks a significant victory for Khan and his legal team after a protracted battle over his right to adequate healthcare while in detention. The move comes as the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) continues to face legal challenges while imprisoned.
The court issued the order on Friday, July 31 [1]. Khan is to be moved from Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad [2]. The top court granted a one-month transfer to the facility [3].
Legal representatives for Khan filed a chamber appeal seeking early fixation of the petition for hospital transfer and medical access [1]. The Supreme Court accepted the appeal, leading to the current order.
The decision follows the submission of medical records to the court. These documents show Khan complaining of anxiety and palpitations [4]. Other records indicated he was suffering from elevated blood pressure [4], which prompted the court's intervention.
"The Supreme Court has accepted the chamber appeal and ordered the early fixation of the petition seeking hospital transfer and medical access," a court statement reported by Dawn said [1].
While some reports focused on the initial filing in July, other reports highlighted the decision on Aug. 18 [3]. The transfer is intended to ensure Khan receives specialized care for his cardiovascular and psychological symptoms, conditions that his legal team argued could not be managed within the prison system [4].
Khan remains a central figure in Pakistan's political landscape, and his health has become a focal point for his supporters and legal advocates. The court's decision to mandate a month-long stay ensures a period of monitored medical evaluation outside the jail environment [3].
“The top court granted Imran Khan a month‑long transfer to Shifa International Hospital after concerns were raised over his blood pressure.”
This ruling underscores the tension between the Pakistani judiciary and the state's detention apparatus regarding the treatment of high-profile political prisoners. By mandating a transfer to a private facility like Shifa International, the Supreme Court is asserting its oversight over the basic human rights and health standards of detainees, potentially setting a precedent for other political prisoners seeking external medical care.
