Imran Khan may be shifted to Shifa International Hospital soon

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan could be shifted to Shifa International Hospital soon after Islamabad police completed security preparations for his possible transfer from Adiala Jail, in compliance with a Supreme Court order, sources said Thursday.

What security measures has Islamabad taken for Khan's possible transfer?

Islamabad's inspector general of police visited Shifa International Hospital to review arrangements for Khan's potential arrival. Security outside the facility was placed on high alert, and traffic police carried out clearance checks around the premises. Vehicles parked along the adjoining road were removed and the road was closed as part of the measures.

What medical exam will Khan undergo at Shifa?

The IGP was accompanied by the deputy inspector general, chief traffic officer and other senior police officials during the site visit. According to sources, Khan will undergo a medical examination once he is shifted to the hospital.

A six-member team of doctors will assess him and review his medical reports. The team will then determine whether he needs to be admitted and kept under treatment.

Why did the Supreme Court return the government's review petition?

The preparations came hours after the Supreme Court returned the federal government's review petition challenging its order to transfer Khan to Shifa, citing incomplete paperwork. PTI said it would file a contempt petition over the delay in implementing the order.

The court's registrar's office returned the petition because the paper books accompanying it were incomplete, according to sources. The Advocate General Islamabad's Office said the government could refile the petition after addressing the objections. Sources also suggested the government was not strongly pursuing the review case.

What did the Supreme Court's original transfer order say?

The development comes two days after a three-member Supreme Court bench ordered authorities to transfer Khan to Shifa International Hospital within 48 hours. The order covered examination and treatment by a multidisciplinary medical board.

Justice Shahid Waheed headed the bench, which also included Justices Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Ishtiaq Ibrahim. The judges were hearing petitions seeking Khan's hospitalization, access to his personal physicians and family members, and disclosure of his medical records.

The court also allowed Khan's personal physician and sister to participate in his medical care. It directed authorities to facilitate regular contact between Khan and his family.

How is the government challenging the hospital transfer?

The federal government approached the Supreme Court on Wednesday to review and recall the Aug. 18 order, arguing that the directive was discriminatory and violated prison rules and principles of natural justice. Islamabad Capital Territory Advocate General Naveed Hayat Malik filed the review petition under Article 188 of the Constitution.

It argued that Rule 197 of the Pakistan Prison Rules, 1978, had escaped the court's attention when it ordered Khan's transfer. That rule sets out the legal procedure for moving a prisoner to a hospital outside the jail, the petition said, adding that the order could not have been passed had the court considered the provision.

The petition also said ordering treatment at a private hospital, based on a medical report that did not disclose a condition requiring immediate care, would disturb the criminal justice system. It cited Article 25 of the Constitution, which guarantees equal treatment, and argued the order amounted to discrimination and favoritism.

"Similarly placed convicts would claim the same special treatment afforded to the respondent, in violation of the prison rules," the petition said. It added that other prisoners in similar situations had not been given the same opportunity to receive treatment at a private hospital of their choice.

How have officials and PTI reacted?

Government ministers questioned the private hospital aspect of the ruling on Wednesday, asking whether all prisoners should be given access to private hospitals. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the PML-N had never politicized health matters, unlike PTI leaders.

He said Khan had previously received medical facilities and would continue to receive treatment under prison rules and legal provisions. PTI, meanwhile, said it would file a contempt of court petition in the Supreme Court on Friday, alleging that authorities had failed to comply with the transfer order.

PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said Adiala Jail authorities should immediately move Khan to Shifa International Hospital in line with the court's directive. Raja warned that continued non-compliance would prompt PTI to file the contempt petition, and called the failure to transfer Khan within 48 hours a case of contempt of court.

What is the legal history behind Khan's hospital request?

The federal government filed its review petition a day after the Supreme Court's Aug. 18 interim order. The Chief Commissioner Islamabad filed it through the Advocate General Islamabad's office, asking the court to withdraw the order.

The Chief Commissioner argued that the Aug. 18 directive exceeded the court's jurisdiction and bypassed the legal procedure for transferring a prisoner to an outside hospital. It sought permission to file the petition under the Supreme Court Rules, 2025, citing Rule 197 of the Pakistan Prison Rules, 1978.

The case stems from Khan's request for medical treatment at Shifa International Hospital. An Additional Sessions Judge sentenced Khan to three years in prison on Aug. 5, 2023, after which he appealed to the Islamabad High Court.

During those proceedings, Khan sought permission under Section 561-A of the Code of Criminal Procedure to be transferred to Shifa for treatment. The Islamabad High Court rejected the request on March 12, 2026, prompting Khan to appeal to the Supreme Court.