The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ordered authorities to move former Prime Minister Imran Khan from Adiala Jail to a medical facility for urgent care. The directive came following reports of deteriorating health conditions and limited access to specialized treatment within the prison.
Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, presiding over a three-member bench, rejected the government’s initial proposal to treat the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader within the jail premises. The court maintained that a prisoner’s right to health is a fundamental constitutional guarantee that cannot be compromised by bureaucratic hurdles or security concerns.
The order follows weeks of legal maneuvering by Khan’s defense team. They argued that the 71-year-old politician has been kept in solitary confinement with restricted access to his personal physicians, leading to a decline in his physical condition. Government lawyers initially resisted the move, citing “high-level security risks” involved in transporting a prisoner of Khan’s profile to a civilian hospital.
“The state is responsible for the health of every citizen in its custody,” the bench noted, dismissing the security arguments. The court has directed the jail administration to coordinate with the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) to ensure Khan receives a comprehensive medical evaluation and necessary procedures.
Khan, who has been incarcerated since August 2023, faces a string of legal challenges ranging from corruption allegations to charges related to national security. His supporters have long held that the legal cases against him are politically motivated, intended to sideline him from the country’s volatile political landscape.
While the court’s order provides immediate relief, the political fallout remains significant. The government is now under pressure to ensure that the hospital transfer is handled transparently, as any perceived lack of care or security breaches during the transit could trigger further unrest among PTI supporters.
The court has mandated that a detailed medical report be submitted to the registrar’s office within 48 hours of his examination. For now, the former prime minister remains under heavy guard, but he will be receiving care in a clinical setting rather than a cell.
