Pakistan's Supreme Court ordered Tuesday that former Prime Minister Imran Khan be transferred from prison to a hospital for a medical check-up [1].
The ruling comes amid a prolonged battle over the health and detention conditions of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder. The move signals a judicial intervention in the management of one of the country's most prominent political prisoners.
The court directed that Khan be moved from his cell, reported by some sources as Kot Lakhpat jail [1], to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad [1]. The court ordered a stay at the facility lasting nearly a month [1].
The order follows urgent health concerns raised by Khan's legal team. His lawyers said the former prime minister has been suffering from anxiety, palpitations, and high blood pressure [2].
Of particular concern is a reported decline in Khan's eyesight. Documentation provided to the court indicates an 85% loss of vision in his right eye, leaving only 15% vision remaining [4].
While most reports describe the move as a transfer from prison, some accounts characterize the detention site as a "death cell" [3]. The government has not commented on the specific nature of the cell, but the court's mandate for a complete medical evaluation remains the primary directive.
The transfer to Shifa International Hospital is intended to provide a comprehensive assessment of these conditions [1]. This medical evaluation occurs as supporters of the former prime minister continue to protest his incarceration and demand better access to healthcare.
“The court ordered a stay at the facility lasting nearly a month.”
The Supreme Court's intervention highlights the tension between the Pakistani state's security apparatus and the judiciary regarding the treatment of political detainees. By mandating a month-long stay at a private hospital, the court is effectively removing Khan from the direct control of prison authorities, potentially providing a window for independent medical verification of his health claims.
