Agencies | Islamabad:
In a major relief for Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan, the country’s Supreme Court has ordered that the jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader be shifted to a private hospital amid concerns over his deteriorating health.
The order follows longstanding demands from Khan’s family and the PTI, which have repeatedly raised concerns over his medical condition and treatment while in custody.
According to PTI spokesperson Naeem Haider Panjutha, the Supreme Court has directed that Khan be shifted to Shifa International Hospital within 48 hours and remain there until September 16. The court has also directed that he be allowed to meet his family members on a weekly basis.
The court further ordered the formation of a medical board to assess Khan’s health. The board will include his personal physician as well as his sister, Dr Uzma Khan, according to the PTI.
At the same time, the court directed Khan’s lawyers and family members not to share his medical reports with the media or use the issue for political purposes.
The 73-year-old former cricketer-turned-politician has been imprisoned at Adiala Jail since August 2023 after being convicted in a series of cases. Khan has consistently denied wrongdoing and has maintained that the cases against him are politically motivated following his removal from office in 2022.
Concerns about Khan’s health have intensified over the past year, with his sons repeatedly raising alarms over his condition. His legal team has also claimed that he has suffered significant loss of vision in his right eye while in prison.
Former Pakistan President Arif Alvi has also expressed concern, saying Khan’s medical reports were alarming and pointed to issues including anxiety, palpitations and high blood pressure.
In a post on X, Alvi said he had reviewed Khan’s medical reports with several specialists and expressed particular concern over the former premier’s reported stress levels and cardiovascular symptoms.
Alvi said Khan had historically been able to cope with pressure but argued that years of imprisonment and isolation appeared to have taken a significant toll on his physical and mental well-being.
PTI spokesperson Zulfikar Bukhari welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision, saying the former premier should remain in hospital until doctors are satisfied with his condition.
He described the order as a welcome development but said it should have come earlier, arguing that Khan’s health, including the condition of his eye, had already deteriorated considerably.
Khan’s imprisonment has remained a major political flashpoint in Pakistan, with the PTI repeatedly alleging that legal cases against its founder are part of a broader campaign to keep him away from active politics.
Since his ouster following a no-confidence vote, Khan has faced multiple cases, including those relating to state gifts and his marriage. Several convictions have subsequently been suspended or overturned, while other appeals remain pending. Khan has denied all allegations against him.
International concern over prison conditions
Khan’s treatment in prison has also attracted international attention. In February, several prominent cricket figures from around the world, including former players from India, expressed concern over his prison conditions and called for better treatment of the former Pakistan captain.
The PTI, which won power in 2018 and continues to command substantial support in several parts of Pakistan, faced significant challenges ahead of the 2024 general election after it was stripped of its traditional electoral symbol. Its candidates consequently contested the election as independents.
The Supreme Court’s latest order could therefore have implications beyond Khan’s immediate health, potentially providing the PTI leader with greater access to medical care and family contact while his legal and political battles continue.
