Pakistan Supreme Court Orders Imran Khan Hospital Transfer

The Pakistan Supreme Court ordered the immediate transfer of former Prime Minister Imran Khan from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital ^[3].

The order comes amid escalating concerns regarding the former leader's health while incarcerated in Rawalpindi. The move highlights the ongoing legal and humanitarian tensions surrounding Khan's detention and the state's responsibility for his medical care.

Justice Shahid Wahid headed the bench that issued the directive on Jan. 30, 2026 [2, 4]. The court mandated that Khan be moved to the Islamabad-based facility for a comprehensive medical examination and treatment [1, 3].

The primary driver for the emergency transfer is a severe deterioration in Khan's vision. Reports indicate he has suffered approximately 85% vision loss in his right eye ^[1].

While the court ordered an immediate transfer, reports on the duration of the stay vary. Some sources suggest the transfer was intended for a comprehensive examination within a few days, while other reports indicate the hospitalization could extend until September [1, 3].

Khan remains held at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, where his legal team has repeatedly raised alarms about his physical condition. The shift to a private facility like Shifa International Hospital is seen as a necessary step to provide specialized care that is unavailable within the prison system [3, 5].

The court's intervention ensures that the former prime minister receives specialist attention for his ocular health. The order requires the jail administration to facilitate the move without delay to prevent further permanent damage to his sight [1, 2].