Imran Khan returned to custody following court-ordered medical assessment

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was transferred back to jail early on Friday, hours after undergoing court-ordered medical checks at Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad. The government confirmed the return to custody, marking the conclusion of a brief period of hospitalisation that had been mandated by the judiciary.

The transfer was initiated following a ruling by the Supreme Court on Tuesday, which ordered Khan to be taken to the private hospital within 48 hours for treatment. The court’s directive came after Khan’s legal team petitioned the bench, raising concerns regarding the former leader’s deteriorating health while in detention.

Khan, a former cricket captain widely regarded as Pakistan’s most popular politician, has remained a central figure in the country’s political landscape despite his incarceration. His legal team’s intervention highlighted ongoing tensions between the executive and judicial branches over the conditions of his confinement.

The 17-year prison sentence imposed on Khan late last year also extends to his wife, Bushra Bibi. Bibi, who serves as Khan’s spiritual guide, received the same term, consolidating the couple’s status as key figures in the current political narrative.

While the specific medical findings from the assessment at Shifa International Hospital were not detailed in official reports, the court-ordered nature of the visit underscores the institutional scrutiny surrounding Khan’s well-being. The move to a private facility rather than a public one reflects the specific provisions of the Supreme Court’s order.

This development follows a period of intense legal activity, with the judiciary playing a decisive role in managing the health and custody of the former prime minister. The return to jail signals a continuation of the legal proceedings that have defined Khan’s tenure in recent months.