Pakistan’s Top Court Orders Hospital Transfer for Imran Khan
ISLAMABAD — August 18, 2026 — Pakistan’s Supreme Court has ordered prison authorities to transfer former Prime Minister Imran Khan to a private hospital in Islamabad for medical treatment, responding to months of mounting concern from his family and legal team about his deteriorating health while in custody .
A three-member bench comprising Justices Shahid Waheed, Naeem Akhtar Afghan, and Ishtiaq Ibrahim directed that the 73-year-old opposition leader be moved from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital within 48 hours, where he will remain until the next hearing on September 16 .
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Court Cites Constitutional Right to Healthcare
The Supreme Court’s order came after petitions filed by Khan’s sister, Dr Uzma Khan, and other party leaders, who argued that the former prime minister’s health was deteriorating in prison and that he was suffering from several medical conditions . In issuing the order, Justice Shahid Waheed noted that “considering the basic rights, we are issuing this order to ensure the health and safety of the prisoner” .
According to the court’s ruling, a medical board will be formed comprising specialists including a cardiologist, ophthalmologist, and internal medicine expert . Khan’s personal physician, Dr Faisal Sultan, and his sister will be permitted to be present during his examination and treatment .
Government Challenges Decision
Pakistani authorities quickly petitioned the Supreme Court on Wednesday, August 19, seeking to review or withdraw the order . The petition argued that the order was “discriminatory” and could set a precedent allowing other inmates to seek similar treatment outside prison, potentially disrupting the criminal justice system .
However, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated that the government had “no objection” to Khan receiving medical care but was challenging the specific provision requiring transfer to a private hospital rather than a government facility . He emphasized that health issues should be kept separate from politics .
Family Visits and Medical Privacy
The court also ordered that Khan be permitted weekly meetings with his family and telephone calls with his sons twice a week . Prison authorities had previously barred visitors after receiving intelligence reports about a possible attack on the prison where Khan is being held .
In its written order, the court directed that medical information regarding Khan’s health not be shared with the media or used for political purposes . The court also warned that violations of its directions could result in the withdrawal of facilities being provided to the former prime minister .
Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party welcomed the decision. PTI spokesperson Zulfikar Bukhari said: “It’s a very welcome order and we wish it had happened sooner so his eye and general health would not have deteriorated this much” . The party has also been directed not to politicise Khan’s health condition .
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Khan, a former international cricketer, has been in prison since August 2023 following convictions in several cases that he and his party describe as politically motivated . Some of his convictions have been suspended or overturned, while others remain pending in higher courts . He was removed from office through a parliamentary no-confidence vote in April 2022 .
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