Ex-Pakistani PM Imran Khan moved from jail to hospital - sparking global concern

Pakistan's imprisoned former prime minister has been court-ordered to be transferred to hospital, following health concerns raised by his family.

A three-judge panel on Pakistan's Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered that jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan be taken to a private hospital for medical treatment.

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Khan's family and personal doctors have been raising concerns about his health and access to medical care for several months, according to his legal team.

The judges ordered that Khan be transferred to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad within the next two days, where he will be assessed by his personal physician, Faisal Sultan, alongside a team of specialists, the Independent reports.

The court further ordered that weekly family visits and telephone calls with his sons be arranged for Khan. His relatives have previously reported difficulties in gaining access to him and in having him examined by doctors of their choice.

Pakistan had banned visitors earlier this year following intelligence reports suggesting a potential attack on the prison in which he is being held.

The ruling came several months after Khan petitioned the court, requesting to be moved from a high-security facility in Rawalpindi to a hospital, and to be granted access to his personal physicians, family, and legal representatives.

Khan's lawyer, Salman Agram, confirmed that the court reached its decision on the basis of Khan's health and stated that access to medical care is enshrined within Pakistan's constitution. He also appealed to Khan's supporters to avoid gathering outside the hospital, urging them to be considerate of other patients.

Earlier this year, Khan made several visits to a government hospital for treatment of an eye condition.

Alarm over Khan's health intensified in January after his family claimed he had lost approximately 85% of the vision in his right eye. The government challenged that assertion, with authorities subsequently stating his condition was improving and that he had recovered around 70% of his vision in that eye.

The 73 year old has been detained since 2023 on corruption charges.

Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were both handed 17-year prison sentences late last year.