Supreme Court order sees Imran Khan moved from jail to hospital
The former prime minister is expected to remain in hospital until his next hearing on 16 September, marking the longest period he has spent outside custody since 2023.
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has been transferred from Adiala jail in Rawalpindi to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad, following a directive from the Supreme Court. The 73-year-old leader was escorted by police and security personnel late on Thursday, fulfilling a long-standing demand from his party and family regarding his health.
The transfer was mandated by a Supreme Court order issued on Tuesday, which required the move to be completed within two days. Although the government filed a petition against the decision, it had not yet commented on the transfer at the time of reporting. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party shared a live broadcast of the preparations but had not released an official statement.
Under the court order, Khan is to be examined by a medical board that includes his personal physician. According to his lawyer, Uzair Bhandari, Khan is expected to remain hospitalised until his next hearing, scheduled for 16 September. This timeline represents the longest period Khan has been physically outside jail premises since his imprisonment began in August 2023.
Khan, the founder of the opposition PTI party, was ousted in a parliamentary no-confidence vote in April 2022. He has been convicted in several corruption-related cases, which he and his party describe as politically motivated. The move to hospital underscores the ongoing institutional tension surrounding his legal status and physical condition.
The transfer highlights the role of the judiciary in managing the political crisis, with the Supreme Court’s intervention overriding executive objections. As the medical board conducts its examination, the focus remains on whether Khan’s health will influence the proceedings of his upcoming hearing.
