Imran Khan taken back to jail after tests at PIMS, not at Al-Shifa Hospital

Attaullah Tarar confirms PTI founder was transferred back to prison after doctors declared him medically fit: Says they were taken to PIMS due to security situation created by PTI workers at Al-Shifa Hospital

Published: 08:27 AM, 21 Aug, 2026
Pakistan
Imran Khan taken back to jail after tests at PIMS, not at Al-Shifa Hospital
Caption: Representational image.

Former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan was taken back to Adiala jail after undergoing a medical check-up at PIMS Hospital, and not at Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad in the wee hours of Friday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Sources further divulged to 24News TV channel that the PTI founder was brought back amid extremely tight security and shifted to his cell in the jail.

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar confirmed that Imran Khan was transferred back to jail early on Friday, hours after being taken to a hospital for court-ordered medical checks.

"A team of qualified doctors... declared him medically fit. After the completion of this entire process, he was transferred back to Adiala Jail," Attaullah Tarar wrote on X.

The minister said “In the light of the Supreme Court's decision, the prisoner was taken to the hospital under appropriate security arrangements during the intervening night of August 20 and 21, 2026. A team of qualified doctors, including an ophthalmologist, a cardiologist, and a physician, conducted a detailed examination of him and declared him medically fit.”

Tarar further said “His sister, Mrs Azma Khan, remained present throughout all stages of the medical examination/treatment.”

He maintained after the completion of this entire process, he (Imran Khan) was transferred back to Adiala Jail at approximately 0500 hours on the morning of August 21, 2026.

In another tweet, Attaullah Tarar revealed that the PTI leader was taken to PIMS Hospital, and not to Al-Shifa International Hospital as directed by the Supreme Court.

“The medical examination was conducted at PIMS Hospital, where doctors from Al-Shifa Hospital were also present,” Tarar said and added “In view of the security situation created by PTI workers on the way to and outside Al-Shifa Hospital, they were taken to PIMS Hospital, and according to the medical examination, they were found to be healthy.”

The minister said they have been provided with medical facilities before as well, and even now, medical facilities will be provided whenever they need them.

Earlier reports said Imran Khan was taken to the hospital in accordance with the orders issued by the Supreme Court earlier this week. He was brought to the hospital via Pitras Bokhari Road and entered through Gate No. 1. Shifa International Hospital is located in Islamabad’s Sector H-8, which also houses several educational institutes and other government offices.

Visuals from outside the hospital showed that both Pitras Bokhari Road and Service Road South had been cordoned off, and a sizeable contingent of law-enforcement personnel was present there on Thursday night.
"It's confirmed that he has arrived at Shifa International Hospital," Zulfi Bukhari, a spokesman for PTI, told AFP on Thursday night. "The Supreme Court's order has been complied with," he added.

Arif Alvi, the country's former president and a PTI member, also confirmed Imran Khan's transfer on X, adding that the whole country "is happy and dancing with joy".

Imran Khan, 73, and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were sentenced late last year to 17 years behind bars after being charged with corruption and other crimes. Imran Khan, who has been in jail since 2023, insists the charges were politically motivated.

Dozens of PTI supporters gathered near the private hospital, while others flung handfuls of red flower petals at passing cars.

Imran Khan's lawyers had petitioned the Supreme Court, saying Khan was in poor health and needed a medical examination, and the court on Tuesday ordered Khan hospitalised within two days.

Earlier this year, Imran Khan received eye treatment at a hospital, with his family saying at the time that he had lost most of the vision in his right eye.

The three-bench court added in its order that Imran Khan would be allowed to meet with his family once a week and speak to his sons via telephone twice weekly.

A panel of specialists would be set up for his treatment, with his sister, medical doctor Uzma Khan, allowed to take part, the court added.

Imran Khan served as prime minister from 2018 to 2022, when he was ousted in a no-confidence vote amid a political crisis. His arrest triggered nationwide protests in May 2023.

Reporter Ershad Qureshi/Agencies

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