The Supreme Court of Pakistan ordered Tuesday that former Prime Minister Imran Khan be transferred from prison to a hospital for medical treatment [1, 2].
The ruling follows a prolonged battle over the former leader's health and access to care. Because Khan remains a central figure in Pakistan's volatile political landscape, his physical condition and the government's handling of his detention are closely monitored by supporters and international observers.
The court directed that Khan be moved from the Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore to Shifa Hospital in Islamabad [1, 2]. The order specifies that he remain at the facility for a month to address his health concerns [2].
Medical reports cited by the court described Khan's health as alarming. These reports indicated that the former prime minister is suffering from palpitations, anxiety, and high blood pressure [1, 2].
Former President Arif Alvi said he reviewed the medical documentation with several specialists. "Imran Khan’s medical reports are alarming," Alvi said [1].
Khan has been imprisoned for more than three years [2]. His party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has frequently criticized the conditions of his confinement and the lack of adequate medical oversight.
A PTI spokesperson said the party had been demanding the transfer for months and described the court's decision as a relief for their leader [3].
While some images have circulated online showing Khan already receiving hospital care, fact-checkers have identified those images as AI-generated. Official reports confirm that the court has ordered the transfer, but the move has not yet occurred [1, 2].
“"Imran Khan’s medical reports are alarming."”
This judicial intervention highlights the ongoing tension between Pakistan's judiciary and the government regarding the treatment of political prisoners. By mandating a month-long hospital stay at a specific facility in Islamabad, the Supreme Court is asserting oversight over the executive branch's detention protocols and responding to documented health risks that could otherwise trigger widespread civil unrest if the former prime minister's condition deteriorated in custody.
