Pakistan's Supreme Court ordered Tuesday that former Prime Minister Imran Khan be transferred from jail to a private hospital for an independent medical evaluation.
The ruling comes amid intensifying disputes over the health of the opposition leader, whose condition has become a focal point for political tension in the country.
Khan, 73 [1], is to be moved to a private facility in Islamabad. The court order follows reports from Khan's lawyers and political allies regarding his deteriorating physical and mental state. These reports cited elevated blood pressure, heart palpitations, and severe anxiety [2, 3].
Legal representatives for the former prime minister sought the independent evaluation to ensure he receives proper care, arguing that jail facilities were insufficient. The court's decision to allow a transfer to a private hospital provides a neutral environment for doctors to assess his current health status.
Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023 [4]. His legal troubles have mounted over the last few years, including a sentencing length of 17 years [5].
The transfer is expected to be closely monitored by security forces to prevent any breach of custody during the move from the correctional facility to the medical center. While the court has mandated the evaluation, the specific duration of his stay at the hospital remains subject to the findings of the medical team.
“Pakistan's Supreme Court ordered Tuesday that former Prime Minister Imran Khan be transferred from jail to a private hospital.”
The court-ordered medical evaluation serves as a critical check on the state's treatment of a high-profile political prisoner. By moving Khan to a private hospital for an independent review, the judiciary is attempting to mitigate accusations of state negligence or mistreatment, while simultaneously managing the volatility surrounding one of Pakistan's most influential political figures.
