Big relief for Imran Khan as Pakistan top court orders transfer to hospital

Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan has been lodged at Rawalpindi's notorious Adiala Jail since August 2023 after being convicted in a web of corruption cases.

In Short

• Imran Khan to be moved to private hospital in Islamabad within 48 hours
• Medical board to assess his health after new report fuels buzz
• Imran Khan has been lodged at Adiala Jail since 2023

Pakistan's Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the immediate transfer of former prime minister Imran Khan, who has been languishing in jail for over three years, to a private hospital in Islamabad for medical treatment. It marks a significant development, amid growing concerns over his health and persistent rumours that the former World Cup-winning captain was on his deathbed.

Rejecting the government's objections, the top court directed Khan to be moved to Shifa International Hospital within 48 hours. He will remain there until September 16. A medical board will also be formed to evaluate Khan's health, which will include the ex-PM's personal doctor and his sister, Dr Aleema Khan.

"It is a very welcome order, and we wish it had happened sooner so his eye and general health would not have deteriorated this much," Zulfiqar Ali Bukhari, Khan's close aide and adviser, said in a statement.

Uzair Bhandari, one of Khan's lawyers, told Al Jazeera that the court also directed that the ex-PM's family be allowed to meet him at the hospital, and that he be permitted to speak with his sons, who live in the UK.

WHAT DOES IMRAN KHAN'S HEALTH REPORT SAY?

The ruling comes a day after the authorities at Adiala Jail, where Khan is lodged, tried to paint a positive picture of the ex-PM's health.

On Monday, the authorities said the 73-year-old's eyesight had improved significantly and was now "almost normal" following treatment. Khan's party and his family, however, doubted the claim. Just six months ago, his lawyer said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief lost nearly 85% of his vision in his right eye.

However, medical records submitted to the court painted a grim picture of Khan's health. It revealed fluctuations in Khan's blood pressure, heart palpitations and extreme mental stress.

Khan's recent blood pressure was recorded at 140/80, and his pulse at 54 bpm. In February, his blood pressure was recorded at 120/80, which was within the normal range.

While his latest medical report was not publicly released, it was shared on social media by former Pakistani president Arif Alvi, who called Khan's situation "alarming". "The next three months will decide whether his condition is reversed or becomes permanent," Alvi tweeted.

PTI has previously claimed that the former PM has been in complete isolation and that no meetings have been allowed with family members for over eight months now.

One of Khan's sisters, Uzma Khanum, was last allowed to meet him on December 2, 2025, after massive protests by the PTI. After meeting him, Uzma raised concerns about the awful conditions in which Khan was being kept and described his imprisonment as "mental torture". She also said that Khan blamed Pakistani army chief Asim Munir for his present condition.

Khan's two sons, Kasim and Sulaiman, also told Sky News earlier this year that he was put in a "death cell", surrounded by filthy water, and inmates who are "dying of hepatitis".

However, Rana Sanaullah, adviser to PM Shehbaz Sharif, told the Senate on Monday that Khan was receiving "the best available medical treatment".

WHY WAS IMRAN KHAN ARRESTED?

Earlier this month, as the former PM marked three years in prison, hundreds of PTI workers held massive protests in Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Mianwali demanding his release. In Rawalpindi, the protests turned violent as party workers clashed with security personnel.

Human rights activists and bodies like Amnesty International renewed calls to the Shehbaz Sharif-led government to restore Khan's access to family, lawyers and medical care.

After being elected as Pakistan's prime minister in 2018, he lasted in office for four years before being removed by a vote of no confidence. Since then, the PTI has been hit by sweeping restrictions and was effectively barred from the 2024 election.

Khan was first arrested on May 9, 2023, triggering mass protests and violence across Pakistan. He was arrested again on August 5, 2023, in a string of corruption cases, including for illegally selling state gifts (popularly known as the Toshakhana case).

With Khan to be shifted to a private hospital till September 16, the next date of hearing, this will be the longest period that the former PM will be physically outside jail. It will finally give Pakistan and the world a look into the condition of Imran Khan.

- Ends