Imran Khan shifted to Islamabad hospital after Supreme Court order, party says

Islamabad, August 21: Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was transferred to a hospital in the capital early Friday for a medical examination, his party said, a move ordered by the Supreme Court and long demanded by his supporters who say his health has worsened during more than three years in detention.

Khan, 73, was moved from Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad, according to a text message from his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The transfer follows a Supreme Court ruling on Tuesday that directed authorities to shift the former premier within 48 hours and allow him access to a medical panel that includes his personal physician.

The development is seen as a potential first step towards easing tensions between Khan’s party and Pakistan’s powerful military establishment, which have been at odds since his removal from office in 2022. The former cricket star-turned-politician has been imprisoned since August 2023 on charges he says are politically motivated. The government denies the accusation.

His lawyers have said Khan’s health has deteriorated in prison, including significant loss of vision in his right eye. Authorities have previously said medical reports showed no condition requiring immediate treatment. The Supreme Court’s intervention this week was a response to petitions seeking proper medical care for the former prime minister.

In a statement to Reuters, PTI spokesperson Zulfikar Bukhari described the ruling as a “new ray of hope” but announced that the party would proceed with a nationwide march on September 27 to demand access to Khan, speedy hearings in his cases, and his release. The planned march is expected to test the government’s willingness to accommodate opposition demands amid a fragile political climate.

Khan’s ouster in April 2022 followed a no-confidence vote in parliament, after which he led a campaign of protests against the government and the military, which he accused of conspiring to remove him. The military has denied involvement in his political fate. Since his imprisonment, his party has faced a crackdown, with many leaders arrested and the PTI’s activities restricted.

Legal experts note that the Supreme Court’s order is binding, but the government had earlier signalled it would challenge a separate court decision allowing Khan to be treated in a private hospital. The latest transfer to Shifa International Hospital, a private facility, suggests the government is complying with the top court’s directive, at least for now.

The move has been welcomed by Khan’s supporters, who have held protests demanding better conditions for him. Analysts say the decision could ease some of the political tension, but deep divisions remain. The PTI continues to press for Khan’s release, and the September 27 march is likely to be a major test of street support.

The condition of the former prime minister and the circumstances of his detention continue to draw attention from international human rights groups, which have urged Pakistan to ensure fair legal processes and adequate medical care for all detainees. The Supreme Court’s intervention underscores the judiciary’s role in checking executive actions in such cases, though the long-term impact on the political standoff remains to be seen.