Health emergency for former Prime Minister Imran Khan
The former Pakistani prime minister, Imran Khan, was taken by armed security forces from Adiala jail to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad on Thursday morning, following accusations that he was suffering from a serious eye condition and other health problems.
The transfer was carried out in accordance with a ruling issued by a three‑judge panel of the Supreme Court that ordered the politician be examined by physicians within 48 hours of his imprisonment. The judges stressed the constitutional obligation to safeguard the life, health, dignity and security of a prisoner.
Khan has been incarcerated since August 2023, when he was charged with corruption, leaking state secrets, and selling state gifts – cases he calls politically persecutory. He was jointly sentenced to 17 years alongside his wife Bushra Bibi.
According to court documents, Khan’s lawyers alleged that the prison failed to provide adequate medical care, leaving him with just 15 % vision in his right eye. The judiciary has indicated that an eye specialist will be involved in his hospital treatment. Police officials warned supporters not to crowd the hospital, as that would breach the court order.
Khan’s incarceration sparked mass protests by his supporters, which were met with police crackdowns, yet he remains a significant political figure in Pakistan. His presence in Islamabad’s healthcare facilities keeps the spotlight on prison conditions, civil liberties and the health rights of incarcerated individuals.
