The Supreme Court of Pakistan ordered the transfer of former Prime Minister Imran Khan from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital [1].
The ruling comes amid intensifying concerns regarding the former leader's well-being while in custody. The court's intervention highlights the ongoing tension between the state's detention protocols and the legal rights of high-profile political prisoners to receive specialized medical care.
The court directed that Khan be moved from the facility in Rawalpindi to the hospital in Islamabad [1]. This transfer is scheduled to last for one month [2]. The judicial order also mandates the formation of a medical board to oversee his treatment and condition.
Legal representatives and family members of the former prime minister raised the alarms that prompted the court to act. Specifically, they cited deteriorating vision and high blood pressure as critical issues requiring immediate attention [3, 4]. While different reports emphasize either the blood pressure concerns or the vision loss, the court said the combined health risks were sufficient grounds for a move to a private medical facility [3, 4].
In addition to the medical transfer, the Supreme Court addressed the issue of familial access. The court ruled that weekly family meetings are to be allowed at the hospital [5]. This provision aims to alleviate concerns regarding the isolation of the former prime minister during his medical treatment.
Khan's legal team has previously battled for better access to healthcare and family visits during his time at Adiala Jail. The move to Shifa International Hospital represents a significant shift in his detention conditions, moving him from a prison infirmary to a specialized clinical environment.
“The Supreme Court of Pakistan ordered the transfer of former Prime Minister Imran Khan from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital.”
This judicial order reflects the Supreme Court's role as a check on executive detention powers in Pakistan. By mandating a transfer to a private hospital and ensuring family access, the court is addressing the humanitarian aspect of Khan's incarceration, which could potentially reduce political volatility surrounding his health status.
