Supreme Court orders to shift Imran Khan to Shifa Hospital for treatment

The Supreme Court has ordered to shift incarcerated former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan, who has been in jail since 2023 on corruption charges, to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad for medical treatment within the next two days, following concerns over his health, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

A three-member Supreme Court bench, headed by Justice Shahid Wahid and comprising Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, issued the ruling on Tuesday.

The bench heard cases concerning Imran Khan's access to his sisters and personal physicians, as well as his medical record.

The development follows renewed concerns over Khan’s health, particularly his eyesight. A report submitted to the Supreme Court by Adiala Jail authorities said his right-eye condition had improved following treatment at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), with his vision described as “almost normal". PTI, however, rejected the jail authorities’ assessment and continued to demand treatment under the supervision of Imran Khan’s personal doctors at Shifa International Hospital.

The bench ordered that there should be a complete medical examination of the 73-year-old former prime minister. Dr Faisal Sultan and Dr Azma Khan are to accompany Imran Khan to the hospital as part of the medical arrangements.

It also directed that a medical board be constituted and all tests of Imran Khan should be conducted at Shifa Hospital. 

It also made it clear that there should not be no politics on Imran’s shifting to a hospital. 

Justice Afghan asked what was the guarantee that people would not throng the hospital after learning that the former PM was admitted there? “There are other patients in the hospital as well. They should also not be disturbed.” 

The court also allowed Imran Khan’s meetings with his family members once in a week. 

However, it warned that if there was any misuse of these meetings with his family and party leaders, the court may withdraw its order allowing these meetings.”

The court said that an eye specialist, general physician and Dr Faisal Sultan should be members of the medical board.

It further ruled that Imran’s family would bear the expenditures of his treatment in the hospital.

The court said that neither PTI founder’s family nor his lawyers would share his medical report with the media.

On the other hand, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja prohibited the party workers from visiting the hospital.

Raja and Shahid Khattak assured the court that there would be no political activity outside the hospital.

The federal government objected to the shifting of PTI founder to a hospital. The additional attorney general said the court had not even issued a notice. The court made the government’s objection part of its order.

Later, the court adjourned the case’s hearing until September 16.

Earlier, the Supreme Court sought complete medical record of former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan, his meetings with his sisters and telephonic conversations with his sons. 

Speaking during the hearing, Uzair Bhandari, counsel for the former prime minister, said that his client was in solitary confinement as even his sisters were not being allowed to meet him.  

He requested the apex court to order the Adiala Jail authorities to allow Imran’s sister Uzma Khan and Dr Asim to meet him.

He also sought court order for a complete medical checkup of the PTI founder from Shifa International Hospital.

Justice Shahid Waheed asked, “Is there any guarantee that there will be no media talk after the meeting?” 

Bhandari said that in line with instructions from Uzma Khan, he guaranteed that there would be no media talk after the meeting.

Justice Waheed said as per a medical report, there are issues with Imran’s heartbeat, his pulse, blood pressure, eye and tooth. “If we go by the report, all body organs of the PTI founder appear to be affected.” 

Speaking on the occasion, the advocate general said that every day three doctors checked the former prime minister. “If need arises, more doctors are asked to examine him,” he added.

Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan said that there should be constant monitoring of a person’s blood pressure.

The judge asked the AG what he had to say about the former prime minister’s meetings with his sisters.

The latter replied that if laws would be violated, there would be no meetings.

Justice Waheed asked if the other party violated the laws, would the government do the same? “Allowing sisters to meet their brother is not a favour. It is their fundamental right,” he said, adding that a state should not violate the laws. “Why are not the Islamabad High Court orders being implemented?” he questioned.

The advocate general told the court that Imran’s sisters met him 48 times during the last three years.

This prompted Justice Waheed to seek details of these meetings. 

Justice Afghan said, “Bear this thing in mind that there will be no politics on PTI founder’s health.”

Concurring with him, Justice Waheed said that the PTI leaders and his family would have to give an affidavit that there would be no media talk following the meeting.

Imran Khan and his wife Bushra were both sentenced late last year to 17 years behind bars.

He received eye treatment at a hospital this year, with his family and lawyer saying that he has lost most of the vision in his right eye.

The former Pakistan cricket captain was prime minister from 2018 to 2022 before being removed in a no-confidence vote during a political crisis. He has since faced multiple legal cases on corruption and other charges. Khan and his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, maintain that the cases against him are politically motivated.

His arrest triggered nationwide protests in May 2023, some of which turned violent and led to hundreds of arrests.

Imran Khan’s medical report

A medical report submitted to the Supreme Court by the Superintendent of Adiala Jail detailed health complaints reported by Imran Khan, including fluctuations in blood pressure, severe mental stress, restlessness, rapid heartbeat and headaches.

According to the report, Imran Khan reported blood pressure fluctuations, headaches, restlessness, palpitations and severe mental stress during a medical examination on August 1, 2026. He was examined by Professor Dr Akhtar Ali Bandishah, Consultant Cardiologist at PIMS Islamabad.

Khan’s blood pressure was recorded at 140/100 mmHg during the examination. In February 2026, when he was examined by the same cardiologist, his blood pressure had been recorded at 120/80 mmHg, which falls within the normal range.

The medical board recommended measures to help reduce Khan’s mental stress and anxiety. These included longer meetings with his wife as well as access to suitable reading material.

The report also recommended that Khan undergo CT coronary angiography for a more detailed assessment of his heart.

 To help control his elevated blood pressure, the report recorded an increase in his medication, with instructions for Narvasc 5 mg once daily in the morning.

According to the medical information recorded in the report, Khan’s symptoms on August 1 prompted the treating doctors to recommend further medical investigation and appropriate care.

The report, submitted to the Supreme Court, provided details of Khan’s medical condition and treatment while he remains incarcerated at Adiala Jail.

Reporters: Amanat Gishkori and Hashir Warraich