Supreme Court orders transfer of jailed ex-PM Imran Khan to Shifa Hospital for medical checkup

ISLAMABAD-- The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the transfer of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital until the next hearing, directing that he be provided medical treatment under a specially constituted medical board.

A two-member bench comprising Justice Shahid Waheed and Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan was hearing a series of petitions concerning meetings with the former prime minister and arrangements for his medical treatment.

The court directed that Imran Khan be shifted to the hospital under tight security, while ensuring that law and order outside the facility was not disrupted. It further ordered that the medical board assess his condition and that the complete medical record be submitted before the next hearing.

Justice Shahid Waheed questioned why the authorities had not provided the former premier’s complete medical record, observing that the material submitted so far was merely a summary of his medical reports.

“Once the record comes before the court, it will no longer remain confidential,” the judge remarked.

Justice Shahid also expressed concern over Imran Khan’s medical condition, observing that neither his pulse nor his heart rate was normal and that, according to the medical reports, his vital organs had begun to be affected.

Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan noted that the authorities’ report mentioned the need for angiography and asked whether the procedure could be carried out in jail. The Islamabad advocate general replied that it could be performed at a hospital outside the prison.

The court also took up the issue of meetings between Imran Khan and his sisters. Justice Shahid said such meetings were not a favour but a fundamental right, asking why the Islamabad High Court’s directions regarding family meetings had not been implemented.

The Islamabad advocate general told the court that Imran Khan’s sisters had met him 48 times over the past three years. The Supreme Court sought complete details of those meetings, as well as a record of his conversations with his children.

PTI counsel Uzair Bhandari requested that Imran Khan’s sisters and doctors be allowed to meet him, arguing that he should undergo a comprehensive medical examination at Shifa International Hospital.

The court, however, stressed that the PTI should not politicise Imran Khan’s health or treatment. Justice Naeem said the party must make it clear that there would be no politics surrounding the former premier’s medical condition.

The court also questioned the proposed meetings with Dr Uzma Khan and Imran Khan’s personal physician, Dr Asim Yusuf. The PTI counsel assured the bench that neither doctor would speak to the media after meeting the former premier.

The judges further sought an explanation for the reported violation of assurances given regarding media interactions. Justice Shahid warned that if contempt proceedings were initiated against officials, action could also be considered against those who had given assurances to the court.

The bench directed PTI and Imran Khan’s family to provide an undertaking that no media talk would take place following meetings with him.

Uzair Bhandari also urged the court to establish the cause of a blood clot reportedly suffered by Imran Khan, saying that the circumstances leading to it should be determined.

Justice Naeem sought complete details of all cases against Imran Khan, including the number in which he was facing trial, the convictions recorded against him and the cases in which his sentences had been suspended.

The court also ordered Adiala Jail authorities to submit a complete record of Imran Khan’s meetings over the past three years and explain why the Islamabad High Court’s orders had allegedly not been followed.

On the question of treatment at a private hospital, the court asked who would bear the cost. Uzair Bhandari said the PTI would pay all expenses.

The Supreme Court ordered that Dr Faisal Sultan and Dr Uzma Khan accompany Imran Khan during his treatment. It also directed that his family be allowed to meet him once a week.

The court further ordered that Imran Khan remain at Shifa International Hospital until the next hearing and that a medical board be constituted to oversee his treatment.

The hearing was adjourned until September 16, when Adiala Jail officials were also directed to appear before the court.