Imran Khan moved to Islamabad hospital from jail by court order

Imran Khan moved to Islamabad hospital from jail by court order

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was transferred from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad early Friday, following a Supreme Court mandate. The move took place after midnight under heavy security, with hundreds of police personnel deployed and roads leading to the private facility cordoned off.

The transfer follows a Tuesday order from a three-judge Supreme Court panel requiring authorities to move the 73-year-old former premier to the capital's hospital within 48 hours for a medical examination. The court directed the formation of a medical board to assess and treat Khan, specifying that the board must include specialists and his personal physician, Faisal Sultan. Dr. Uzma was also ordered to be present during the assessment and treatment, with Khan's family bearing the associated expenses.

Zulfi Bukhari, a spokesman for Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, confirmed the arrival at the facility, stating The Supreme Court's order has been complied with.

The shift comes amid a prolonged dispute between the government and Khan's family regarding his health. In late January, family members claimed Khan had lost about 85% of the vision in his right eye. The government disputed this, later asserting that the condition had improved and that he had regained about 70% of his vision. A report from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) further stated that his vision had almost returned to normal after intervention by senior ophthalmologists.

Other medical concerns have centered on mental stress and cardiovascular health. An annexure to a jail administration report noted that on August 1, Dr. Akhtar Ali Bandeshah of Pims recorded complaints from Khan of restlessness, headache, palpitations, and fluctuating, uncontrolled blood pressure. Dr. Bandeshah recommended an increase in blood pressure medication and a CT coronary angiography, warning of a risk of complications.

Khan attributed these symptoms to the absence of television, newspapers, and infrequent meetings with his wife, Bushra Bibi, and family. Consequently, a medical board informed the Supreme Court on August 10 that Khan should be allowed a one-hour daily walk, access to reading materials and television, and more frequent interactions with his spouse and immediate family to help control his anxiety.

The government had initially sought clarification from the Supreme Court on whether this medical relief could be extended to other prisoners, though the court did not entertain the application on technical grounds. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry stated on X that the government would fully comply with the ruling and suggested that treatment abroad could be considered if government facilities provided inadequate care.

The transfer was conducted with significant security measures. Islamabad’s Inspector General of Police and senior officials arrived at Shifa International Hospital ahead of Khan, while Khan was transported from Gate No. 5 of Adiala Jail and entered the hospital through Gate No. 1. His sister, Aleema Khan, was reported at the jail gates during the process.

Khan has been imprisoned since August 5, 2023, after being convicted in multiple cases, including a £190 million corruption case known as the Al-Qadir Trust case, for which he is serving a 14-year sentence. He and Bushra Bibi were also sentenced late last year to 17 years for corruption and other crimes. Khan maintains these charges are politically motivated. He was previously ousted from the premiership in April 2022 via a parliamentary no-confidence vote.

While the PTI party and Khan's family have demanded he be allowed to remain at the hospital, it remains unclear if he will return to prison. PTI Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja stated it is premature to suggest Khan will move to his Bani Gala residence, but noted that a building could be declared a sub-jail if medical experts determine that returning to prison would be detrimental to his health.

A special panel of medical experts will now decide whether Khan requires admission to the hospital.