Pakistan's Supreme Court ordered the transfer of former Prime Minister Imran Khan from jail to a hospital for a comprehensive medical examination.
The court order follows reports of deteriorating health for the 73-year-old [1] politician, raising concerns about the conditions of his detention and his access to necessary healthcare.
Khan is scheduled to be moved to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad [2]. Authorities said serious health concerns were the primary reason for the transfer [1]. Specifically, reports indicate that Khan has suffered an 85% loss of vision in his right eye, leaving only 15% of his sight remaining in that eye [3].
The former Prime Minister is currently serving a 17-year sentence [1]. His wife is also serving a 17-year sentence [1]. The court's decision to mandate a professional medical evaluation comes amid ongoing legal and political tensions surrounding Khan's incarceration.
Legal representatives and supporters have previously raised alarms regarding the former leader's physical state while in custody. The Supreme Court's intervention ensures that a specialized medical team can assess the extent of his vision loss and other health issues in a clinical setting rather than within the prison system.
The government is now tasked with coordinating the secure transport of Khan to the facility. The examination will determine if further specialized treatment, or a change in detention conditions, is required to manage his health.
“Pakistan's Supreme Court ordered the transfer of former Prime Minister Imran Khan from jail to a hospital”
The Supreme Court's order highlights the precarious balance between the Pakistani state's judicial proceedings against Imran Khan and the legal requirement to maintain the health of high-profile detainees. By mandating a transfer to Shifa International Hospital, the court is providing a transparent medical baseline that may either mitigate accusations of prisoner mistreatment or provide further grounds for legal challenges regarding his detention conditions.
