Imprisoned former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was moved to a private hospital in Islamabad after midnight Thursday for medical treatment. According to his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), this transfer followed a ruling from the Supreme Court.
The decision to move Khan from Adiala prison to Shifa International Hospital came days after a Supreme Court order for his medical examination. A senior Cabinet minister suggested that Khan could be treated abroad if necessary care was unavailable locally.
PTI provided no additional details about Khan’s condition or his potential return to prison after the examination. His party and family have urged that he remain in the hospital for treatment.
The Supreme Court’s order, issued by a three-judge panel, required a medical board to examine Khan. The board includes specialists and his personal doctor, Faisal Sultan. This action followed intense concern from Khan’s family about his health.
Earlier on Thursday, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry stated the government had asked the Supreme Court for clarity on whether the medical relief granted could apply to other prisoners as well.
Chaudhry clarified that the government’s request for clarification aimed not to hinder or delay the Supreme Court’s decision. The authorities had already set plans in place to transfer Khan to the hospital.
Following Khan’s imprisonment in 2023 due to a graft conviction, local media reported his hospital examination was underway. Khan had not been seen publicly since then.
The government claims existing rules provide for prisoners’ medical treatment in prison. Transfers to government hospitals occur if deemed necessary.
Concerns about Khan’s health grew after his family reported in January that he had lost 85% of the vision in his right eye. The government disputed this, later saying Khan had regained 70% visual capacity.
Previously, Khan, a former cricket star, was removed from office via a no-confidence vote in April 2022.
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