Pakistan's Supreme Court ordered that former Prime Minister Imran Khan be transferred from jail to a private hospital in Islamabad for a medical examination.
The ruling follows mounting concerns over the health of the 73-year-old [1] political leader, whose detention has remained a flashpoint for civil unrest and legal disputes in the country.
Khan is to be moved from Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore to the capital city [2]. The court order, issued earlier this month, comes after his legal team raised alarms regarding his physical condition [3]. Specifically, his lawyer briefed the Supreme Court in February 2026 that Khan had suffered an 85% loss of vision in his right eye, leaving him with only 15% vision in that eye [4].
"The court orders that Imran Khan be taken to a private hospital for a medical examination," the court said [5].
The Pakistani government has challenged the decision. Officials said that the former prime minister should be examined at a public facility rather than a private one [2].
"We will file a review of the order, as the ex‑PM should be examined at a public hospital," a government spokesperson said [2].
This legal battle over medical care occurs as the government seeks to manage domestic tensions. Analysts said that the administration is currently prioritizing the lowering of political temperatures and exploring limited dialogue with opposition figures [6].
Khan's party, the PTI, has previously highlighted various medical issues during his incarceration. The transfer to a private facility in Islamabad is seen by supporters as a necessary step to ensure an impartial, and thorough diagnostic process [2], [3].
“The court orders that Imran Khan be taken to a private hospital for a medical examination.”
The dispute over whether Imran Khan receives care in a public or private hospital reflects the deeper distrust between Pakistan's current government and the PTI. While the medical need is the immediate catalyst, the case underscores the Supreme Court's role as a critical arbiter in the struggle for power and human rights within the country's judicial and penal systems.
