Imran Khan Back in Jail After Medical Examination

Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan is medically fit. He was shifted back to prison early Friday after being examined by doctors at a hospital in Islamabad.

Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Khan was examined by “a team of doctors in PIMS hospital,” including an ophthalmologist, a cardiologist and a physician.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court ordered that the cricketer-turned-politician be taken to a hospital within 48 hours for a medical examination by a team of physicians, following complaints about his health.

Imran Khan has received most significant relief from the courts since he was imprisoned in 2023 on corruption charges, which he says were politically motivated.

As well as being transferred to hospital, this court order also specified Khan should be allowed to see his family, which he has not been able to do in months. On Tuesday night, his sister Azma Khan visited him in prison.

According to the Supreme Court order, the authorities have to transfer PTI founder Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital. However, the Attaullah Tarar did not mention which hospital he has been visited. However, the sources claimed that he was examined in PIMS Hospital, Islamabad.

The Supreme Court further directed that Imran Khan’s family be allowed to meet him once a week. The court also restrained PTI from politicising his medical treatment.

The court also directed PTI to ensure that no rallies or demonstrations are held outside the hospital.

During the hearing, Justice Shahid Waheed questioned which sister of Imran Khan should be allowed to meet him. PTI lawyer Uzair Bhandari argued that Uzma Khan, who is a doctor, should be allowed to meet him.

Khan’s political party, Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), is normally quick to claim court decisions that go against him are politically motivated. It has not publicly been drawn on speculation that the Supreme Court’s decision indicates political manoeuvring behind the scenes.

The area around Shifa International Hospital has been sealed off by police with barriers, officers and police vans in place. Outside the hospital the media saw cars being moved with a truck to clear the street while police cars and armoured vehicles patrolled.

The Supreme Court told Khan’s party not to conduct press conferences outside the hospital. This is a warning not to politicise his hospital stay.

The 73-year-old’s lawyers have said he’s suffering from various health conditions, including poor eyesight, and has been unable to access specialist medical care.

In February, Khan’s lawyer said his client had 15% vision left in his right eye after prison authorities failed to take action – an allegation the government disputed.

Khan, who previously captained the Pakistan national cricket team, served as the country’s prime minister from 2018 to 2022.

He was imprisoned in August 2023 and has faced charges in more than 100 cases, ranging from leaking state secrets to selling state gifts – all of which he decried as politically motivated. Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were both sentenced to 17 years late last year.