The Supreme Court of Pakistan issued a directive on Tuesday requiring the transfer of former Prime Minister Imran Khan from prison to a private medical facility. This decision addresses long-standing requests from his family and political party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), who have repeatedly voiced concerns regarding the 73-year-old leader’s deteriorating health.
Justice Shahid Waheed, who led the three-judge bench overseeing the petition, stated that the court was “mindful of the fundamental right” and issued the order specifically to “ensure health and safety of the prisoner.” The court mandated that Khan be moved to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad within 48 hours, where he is to remain until September 16.
The judicial order also stipulates the formation of a specialized medical panel to oversee his care, which must include a cardiologist, a general medicine specialist, an eye specialist, and Khan’s personal physician. Khan has been detained in a Rawalpindi garrison facility since August 2023, following convictions in several legal cases that he maintains are politically motivated.
PTI spokesperson Zulfikar Bukhari welcomed the ruling, urging that it be implemented “immediately, fully, and without delay.” He expressed regret that the intervention did not occur sooner, noting that Khan’s general health and vision in his right eye have suffered significantly during his incarceration. The party has also requested that supporters refrain from gathering outside the hospital to comply with the court’s instructions.
The government’s response to the ruling has been inconsistent. Parliamentary affairs minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry stated that the administration would implement the court’s order “in letter and spirit.” However, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar later indicated that the government intends to seek modifications, specifically requesting that Khan be treated at a public facility rather than the private Shifa International Hospital.
Khan’s family has also spoken out regarding the situation. His younger son, Kasim, expressed hope that the government would adhere to the court’s directive and allow the family to visit. Kasim and his brother Sulaiman, who reside in Britain, have not seen their father since 2022 due to visa restrictions. They have also requested that the government permit phone calls.
Since his ouster in 2022, the former prime minister has faced a series of legal challenges, including accusations related to state gifts and an unlawful marriage. While some convictions have been overturned or suspended, he continues to face ongoing litigation. His initial arrest in 2023 triggered widespread unrest, with supporters clashing with authorities and targeting military installations.
International attention has also focused on his detention. In February, prominent cricket figures from around the world, including from India, expressed “deep concern” regarding his prison conditions and called for better treatment. While the government has consistently denied allegations of mistreatment, the political climate remains tense.
Despite being stripped of its official election symbol before the 2024 vote, the PTI maintains a significant support base. Candidates affiliated with the party were forced to run as independents, ultimately winning the highest number of seats in the election, though they fell short of the majority required to form a government. The report also notes that cricketer-turned-politician Khan, 73, has been in jail in the garrison town of Rawalpindi since August 2023, convicted in a string of cases that he says were politically driven following his ouster in 2022. The report also notes that khan’s younger son, Kasim, said in a statement shared with Reuters earlier in the day that “we hope the government adheres to the court orders…allows calls and issues our visas to Pakistan simply so we can come and s. The report also notes that kasim and his older brother Sulaiman – raised in Britain after Khan’s divorce from their mother, British socialite and filmmaker Jemima Goldsmith – have not seen their father since 2022 in the absence of a visa.
Source: Gulf Today
