The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday ordered the transfer of former Prime Minister Imran Khan to Al-Shifa Hospital in Islamabad for comprehensive medical evaluation within the next two days.
The apex court bench also directed authorities to facilitate an immediate meeting between the jailed leader, his sister Uzma Khan, and his personal physician, Dr Faisal Sultan. Imran Khan is expected to remain at the hospital until September 16 for medical treatment and monitoring.
Why did the Supreme Court order Imran Khan's transfer to Al-Shifa Hospital?
During the court proceedings, Justice Shahid Waheed observed that official medical reports indicated abnormal pulse and heart conditions, alongside deteriorating vital organs. The bench instructed prison authorities to submit complete medical records rather than summaries, emphasizing that family access and adequate medical care represent fundamental human rights rather than state favors.
Representing the former prime minister, lawyer Uzair Bhandari requested immediate access for personal physician Dr Asim Yousaf and sister Uzma Khan, offering assurances that neither would address media outlets following the visit. Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan stressed that the political leader's health must not become a subject of political controversy, urging all parties to maintain focus strictly on medical well-being.
The Supreme Court sought a comprehensive record of all meetings between Imran Khan and his sisters over the past three years, alongside logs of phone calls with his children. The Islamabad Advocate General informed the court that 48 family meetings had taken place during his incarceration, while noting that specialized procedures like angiography could be performed at an outside hospital facility.
What records did the Supreme Court request regarding Imran Khan's legal cases?
The apex court bench requested a full judicial inventory of all legal proceedings involving the PTI founder, including ongoing trials, convictions, and cases where sentences have been suspended. Defense counsel raised concerns regarding the cause of a reported blood clot, urging the court to prevent severe health complications while in custody.
Islamabad High Court is simultaneously reviewing related matters through an intra-court appeal. Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi arrived at the Supreme Court, expressing confidence in judicial proceedings and affirming that legal avenues remain the primary focus for securing Khan's release.
The Supreme Court directed relevant government agencies and prison administrators to ensure full compliance with directives concerning medical treatment, family visitation, and record submissions.
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