The government of Pakistan filed a review petition in the Supreme Court to challenge an order transferring former Prime Minister Imran Khan to a hospital [1, 2].
The legal battle underscores the tension between the state and the jailed leader over medical access and the security protocols governing high-profile prisoners. A reversal of the court's order would keep Khan in jail despite judicial directives regarding his health.
On July 31, 2026, the government sought a review and recall of the Supreme Court's directive [2, 3]. The original order required that Khan, who is 73 [2], be moved from jail to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad [1, 2].
The Supreme Court had previously accepted a chamber appeal from Khan and ordered the early fixation of his petition for medical access [3]. That order included a directive for the transfer to occur within the next two days [2].
Government officials said the Supreme Court's order was "not within four walls of law" [1]. The state is seeking to overturn the decision based on procedural and legal concerns regarding the movement of a jailed former prime minister to a private medical facility [1].
The government's challenge follows a period of ongoing litigation over Khan's detention conditions. While the court sought to ensure medical access, the government's petition suggests that the specific arrangement at Shifa International Hospital presents legal or security hurdles that outweigh the court's initial mandate [1, 2].
“"Not within four walls of law"”
This legal maneuver reflects a broader struggle for control over the conditions of Imran Khan's imprisonment. By challenging the Supreme Court's order, the government is testing the limits of judicial oversight regarding prisoner health and security, potentially delaying the former prime minister's access to private specialized care.
