Pakistan's Supreme Court ordered that former Prime Minister Imran Khan be transferred from jail to a private hospital for medical examination.
The ruling follows a prolonged legal battle over the former leader's access to healthcare and family while in detention. Because Khan remains a central figure in Pakistani politics, the court's decision to grant medical leave highlights the ongoing tension between the judiciary and the state regarding his treatment.
The court ordered that Khan be moved to Shifa Hospital, a private facility in Islamabad [2, 5]. The transfer is intended to address health concerns, specifically reports of elevated blood pressure [1, 2]. The court also granted permission for Khan to receive visits from his family during his stay [2].
According to court documents, the duration of the transfer is set for one month [1]. This medical access comes after a series of petitions regarding the conditions of his confinement. Khan has been imprisoned since 2023 [3].
The order was issued on Tuesday following an appeal that the court accepted for an early hearing [2, 4]. The decision ensures that the former prime minister receives care outside the prison system, a move his legal team has sought for several months.
Authorities are now tasked with coordinating the secure transport of the former leader to the Islamabad facility. The court's intervention marks a significant shift in the management of Khan's detention, providing a temporary reprieve from the jail environment for the purpose of medical stabilization.
“Pakistan's Supreme Court ordered that former Prime Minister Imran Khan be transferred from jail to a private hospital.”
This ruling reflects the Supreme Court's role as a check on the executive branch's handling of high-profile political prisoners. By mandating a transfer to a private facility like Shifa Hospital, the court is prioritizing basic health rights over the state's restrictive detention protocols, potentially setting a precedent for how other political detainees are treated in Pakistan.
