Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan was transferred back to Adiala prison in Rawalpindi in the early hours of Friday after undergoing a medical examination at a government hospital in Islamabad, following a Supreme Court order that had directed authorities to ensure an independent assessment of his health. Khan, 73, has been imprisoned since August 2023 and is currently serving a 14-year sentence at Adiala jail on corruption charges.
The hospital visit came after weeks of mounting concern over Khan's condition. His party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and family members had been demanding specialist medical care for months, particularly regarding reported deterioration of vision in his right eye. The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the government to transfer Khan to Shifa International Hospital, a private facility in Islamabad, within 48 hours, stating that "a prisoner does not, by reason of his incarceration, cease to be entitled to humane treatment and necessary medical care." The government initially challenged the order but proceeded with the transfer after the Supreme Court returned its review petition on procedural grounds.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed that Khan was examined by a team of specialists including a cardiologist, an ophthalmologist and a physician, and was declared "medically fit." There was some confusion over which facility was used: while the Supreme Court had specified Shifa International Hospital, Tarar later clarified that the examination was conducted at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), a government-run hospital, with doctors from Shifa also present. Authorities cited the security situation created by PTI supporters gathering near Shifa as the reason for the change of venue. Khan's sister, Dr Uzma Khan, was present throughout the evaluation, and Khan was returned to Adiala jail by approximately 5am. Around 800 security personnel had been deployed in and around the hospital area ahead of the visit.
Previous medical reports submitted to the court had painted a more concerning picture. A cardiac board assessment from August 10 recorded fluctuating blood pressure, palpitations, headache and anxiety, partly attributed to Khan's restricted contact with family members and limited access to reading material. Doctors had recommended daily exercise, access to newspapers and books, and more frequent family visits. Khan's legal team has said he has lost significant vision in one eye, though a jail health report stated his eyesight had "almost returned to normal" after treatment.
Khan, a former cricket captain who led Pakistan from 2018 to 2022 before being removed in a parliamentary vote of no confidence, faces more than 100 legal cases, which he and his party describe as politically motivated. The broader issue of medical care for political detainees has gained traction in Pakistan's parliament, with opposition senators also calling for better treatment for other jailed PTI figures, including former health minister Dr Yasmin Rashid, who reportedly suffers from cancer and spinal problems. The government, for its part, has indicated it would be willing to consider all options for Khan's treatment, including, if necessary, medical care abroad.