Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the transfer of former Prime Minister Imran Khan from prison to a hospital, according to his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, which welcomed the decision as a long-standing demand of his family and supporters.
The 73-year-old Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023 and has been convicted in several cases that he and his supporters describe as politically motivated. His sons and lawyers have repeatedly raised concerns about his health, including a significant deterioration in vision in his right eye.
Zulfiqar Bukhari, a spokesperson for PTI, welcomed the court’s decision and said Khan should remain in hospital until doctors are satisfied with his condition. He said the transfer should have happened earlier to prevent further deterioration of Khan’s eyesight.
According to Khan’s spokesperson, the court ordered that he be transferred within 48 hours to Shifa International Hospital and remain there until September 16. The exact medical condition requiring hospital treatment has not been independently detailed.
Khan was removed as prime minister in April 2022 after losing a parliamentary vote of no confidence. He has since faced numerous criminal and corruption cases, with some convictions suspended or overturned while other legal proceedings remain ongoing.
Despite his imprisonment and the legal cases against him, Khan remains one of Pakistan’s most influential political figures and retains a substantial support base.
His PTI party faced significant restrictions ahead of the 2024 general election, including losing its electoral symbol, forcing many of its candidates to contest as independents. PTI-backed candidates nevertheless won the largest number of directly elected National Assembly seats, although they were unable to form the federal government.
Khan’s continued imprisonment has remained a major source of political tension in Pakistan. His supporters have repeatedly demanded his release, while authorities have maintained that the cases against him are being handled through the legal system.
The court-ordered hospital transfer could provide temporary relief for Khan’s health concerns, but it is not a ruling on his broader legal status or the numerous cases pending against him.
