ISLAMABAD, The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered authorities to transfer Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad for comprehensive medical assessment and treatment until September 16, amid concerns over his health.
A three-member bench headed by Justice Shahid Waheed and comprising Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim issued the interim order while hearing petitions concerning Khan’s medical treatment, access to his family members and personal physicians, and the provision of his complete medical record.
The petitions were filed by Khan’s sister Dr Uzma Khan, his lawyer Uzair Bhandari and PTI leader Mashal Yousafzai.
The court directed the constitution of a specialist medical board to assess and treat Khan. The board is to include relevant specialists, including an eye specialist, general physician and cardiologist, as well as Khan’s personal physician Dr Faisal Sultan. Dr Uzma Khan is also to be associated with the medical assessment process. The court ordered that Khan’s family bear the expenses of his treatment.
Authorities were directed to make arrangements for Khan’s transfer within a few days and move him to the hospital under tight security. The court stressed that law and order outside the hospital must not be disturbed and that other patients should not be inconvenienced. No political activity, press conference or media talk is to be held outside the hospital during his stay.
The Supreme Court further directed that Khan remain at Shifa International Hospital until the next hearing on September 16 and ordered that his medical reports not be used for political purposes. The bench warned that violation of its directions could result in the withdrawal of facilities being provided to the PTI founder.
Court Seeks Complete Medical Record
During the hearing, the Supreme Court expressed concern over the submission of only a summary of Khan’s medical record by Adiala Jail authorities and ordered the government to provide his complete medical record.
A two-page report submitted by the Adiala Jail superintendent on Monday contained a summary of 39 medical examinations conducted by different specialists between November 4, 2023 and August 10, 2026. The report said Khan had been examined by government doctors and specialists and that records of the consultations were maintained by the jail authorities.
The report also stated that Khan had received treatment from leading ophthalmologists in Islamabad and Rawalpindi for central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), an eye condition previously diagnosed in the PTI founder. According to the jail report, the affected eye had “almost regained normal vision.”
Justice Shahid Waheed questioned why the complete medical record had not been submitted, insisting that the court wanted the full record rather than a summary.
The bench also discussed concerns regarding Khan’s pulse, blood pressure and heart condition. Justice Waheed observed that the medical material indicated abnormalities in his pulse and heart and suggested that his vital organs had begun to be affected.
Justice Afghan referred to a recommendation for angiography and asked whether the procedure could be conducted inside the jail. The Islamabad Advocate General replied that it could be performed at a hospital outside the prison. Recent medical assessments have also recorded concerns regarding Khan’s blood pressure, pulse and stress levels.
Khan’s lawyer Uzair Bhandari argued that the cause of an alleged blood clot should be established and requested access for Dr Uzma and Khan’s personal physician. He also suggested that Dr Faisal Sultan be allowed to examine the former premier.
The court noted that Dr Aasim Yusuf, another physician mentioned during the proceedings, is a gastroenterologist and observed that the medical report did not identify a stomach-related problem.
Family Meetings and Communications With Sons
The Supreme Court also examined restrictions on Khan’s meetings with his sisters. Justice Waheed observed that meeting family members was not a favour but a fundamental right and questioned why arrangements could not be made for his sisters to meet him.
The Islamabad Advocate General informed the court that Khan had met his sisters 48 times over the past three years. The court ordered authorities to provide complete details of those meetings.
The bench also sought records of Khan’s meetings and communications with his sons, including call detail records, and directed authorities to provide arrangements for telephone conversations with them.
The court further questioned why directions issued by the Islamabad High Court concerning Khan’s meetings had not been implemented. The Islamabad Advocate General said the matter was pending before the IHC in an intra-court appeal and that the government had not yet been served notice.
Adiala Jail officials were summoned to the next hearing and directed to explain the implementation of the court’s orders.
Court Warns Against Politicising Khan’s Health
The issue of media interactions following family meetings also came under discussion.
The Islamabad Advocate General told the court that a previous undertaking that no media talk would take place after meetings with Khan had allegedly been violated and that the matter was pending before the Islamabad High Court.
Senior PTI lawyer Salman Akram Raja argued that if an undertaking given by him had been violated, responsibility should not automatically be attributed to others. Justice Waheed warned that if contempt proceedings were initiated against officials for violating court directions, action could also be taken against Raja.
The court said Khan’s family and the PTI would have to provide an undertaking that no media talk would take place after meetings.
Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan specifically urged PTI not to politicise Khan’s medical condition, stressing that the former premier’s health should not become a political issue. The court also directed that medical reports remain confidential and not be used for political purposes.
Court Seeks Details of Khan’s Cases
The Supreme Court also directed authorities to provide complete details of the legal cases against Khan, including the number of cases in which he is an under-trial prisoner, the cases in which he has been convicted and those in which his sentences have been suspended.
Khan, 73, has remained imprisoned since August 2023 after facing convictions in several cases. He and his party have described the proceedings as politically motivated and deny wrongdoing. Since his removal from office following a no-confidence vote in April 2022, Khan has faced numerous legal cases, including those involving state gifts, the Al-Qadir Trust case and his marriage to Bushra Bibi. Some convictions have been suspended, overturned or are under appeal.
The Supreme Court directed authorities to submit Khan’s complete medical record, details of his meetings over the past three years, information regarding his communications with his sons and the requested case details before the September 16 hearing.
Government Says It Will Implement Order
Reacting to the ruling, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhary said the government would implement the Supreme Court’s order in letter and spirit.
Chaudhary said the ruling vindicated the government’s position that decisions concerning Khan’s release, health and other legal matters rested with the judiciary rather than the executive.
He said the government’s differences with Khan were political rather than personal and wished the former prime minister good health. The minister maintained that Khan’s health had been and would remain the government’s responsibility and said he had been provided with the best possible medical facilities.
Chaudhary also said it was encouraging to see PTI members appreciating the judiciary, while arguing that courts should not be praised only when their decisions favour a particular political side. He maintained that Pakistan’s judiciary was independent and deciding cases on merit.
PTI Welcomes Hospital Transfer
PTI welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision, describing it as an important step towards protecting Khan’s fundamental rights to health and human dignity.
The party said the court’s order for Khan’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital and the formation of a specialist medical board strengthened its longstanding demand that the former premier receive the best available medical treatment.
PTI called for the inclusion of Dr Faisal Sultan and Dr Uzma Khan in the medical assessment process and expressed hope that the authorities would implement the Supreme Court’s directions in letter and spirit.
The party also urged its workers and supporters not to gather outside Shifa International Hospital, stressing that a peaceful environment should be maintained in the interest of Khan’s treatment and in compliance with the Supreme Court’s directions.
Barrister Gohar Calls for Dialogue
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said the party would not politicise Imran Khan’s health and that medical reports would not be used for personal or political purposes.
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament House, Gohar said compliance with the Supreme Court’s order could help move the country forward. He also rejected the idea of politically eliminating anyone and urged the government to resolve political differences through dialogue.
Gohar additionally called for medical facilities for former first lady Bushra Bibi, saying she too had the right to receive appropriate medical treatment and, where medically necessary, be shifted to a hospital.
He said implementation of court orders could help lower the country’s political temperature and urged the government to avoid statements that could further escalate tensions.
Gohar said the safety of Pakistan’s Army, police and Rangers remained the foremost priority and that PTI did not want security institutions exposed to threats. He also condemned terrorism and said there should be no compromise on efforts against terrorism.
The Supreme Court adjourned the matter until September 16, with Adiala Jail officials summoned for the next hearing.
