SC orders Imran Khan’s transfer to Shifa Hospital amid health concerns

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered Adiala jail authorities to transfer incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-I-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital for medical assessment and treatment until Sept 16.

Key points

• A two-page report submitted by the Adiala jail superintendent on Monday contained details of 39 medical examinations conducted by different specialists between Nov 4, 2023 and Aug 10, 2026.
• The petitions were filed by Imran's sister, Dr Uzma Khan, his lawyer Uzair Bhandari and PTI leader Mashal Yousafzai.
• The Islamabad advocate general informed the bench that Imran had met his sisters 48 times over the past three years.
• Mr Bhandari remarked the cause of Imran's blood clot should be established and sought permission for Dr Uzma and Dr Aasim to meet him.
• According to Justice Waheed, none of the petitioners had questioned the qualifications of the doctors who had already examined Imran.

In practice, a three-member bench headed by Justice Shahid Waheed and comprising Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim issued the interim order while hearing petitions seeking better medical treatment for the former prime minister and meetings with his family members.

Notably, the petitions were filed by Imran's sister, Dr Uzma Khan, his lawyer Uzair Bhandari and PTI leader Mashal Yousafzai.

Notably, the court ordered the formation of a medical board to assess and treat Imran, directing that Dr Uzma and his personal physician, Dr Aasim Yusuf, be present during the assessment and treatment. The expenses will be borne by the family.

Authorities were directed to create arrangements for the transfer within a few days and ensure tight security around the hospital without disrupting law and order. The court additionally directed that Imran's medical report should not be employed for political purposes.

For context, the bench cautioned that any violation of its directions could lead to withdrawal of the facilities being provided to the PTI founder.

During the hearing, the court directed authorities to submit Imran's complete medical record after Justice Waheed questioned Islamabad Advocate General Aamir Rehman regarding why only a summary had been submitted.

In practice, a two-page report submitted by the Adiala jail superintendent on Monday contained details of 39 medical examinations conducted by different specialists between Nov 4, 2023 and Aug 10, 2026.

While records of their consultations were maintained by the jail authorities, the report remarked a number of administration doctors had examined Imran.

It additionally stated Imran had received treatment from ophthalmologists in Islamabad and Rawalpindi for central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), an eye condition he had previously been diagnosed with. As the report notes, the affected eye had "almost regained normal vision".

"What is the restriction on providing the complete medical record? We want the complete record, not a summary, " Justice Waheed remarked.

For context, the bench additionally discussed Imran's medical condition in light of the report. According to Justice Waheed, the report indicated abnormalities in his pulse and heart condition and suggested that some vital organs had began being affected.

Justice Afghan referred to the report's recommendation for angiography and asked whether the procedure could be performed in jail. The advocate general replied that it could be conducted at a hospital outside the prison.

Mr Bhandari remarked the cause of Imran's blood clot should be established and sought permission for Dr Uzma and Dr Aasim to meet him. He afterwards suggested that Dr Faisal Sultan additionally be allowed to see the former prime minister.

Meanwhile, the court additionally discussed restrictions on meetings between Imran and his sisters, with Justice Waheed observing that such meetings were a fundamental right.

"What is the problem in arranging meetings with his sisters?" he asked.

Notably, the Islamabad advocate general informed the bench that Imran had met his sisters 48 times over the past three years. The court directed authorities to provide details of all such meetings.

In practice, the bench additionally sought details of Imran's meetings and communication with his sons, including call detail records.

For context, the matter of media interactions after meetings with Imran additionally came under discussion. The advocate general remarked a previous assurance that no media talk would take place after meetings had been violated and that the matter was pending before the Islamabad High Court.

Senior PTI lawyer Salman Akram Raja argued that if an assurance given by him had been violated, responsibility should not be attributed to others.

Justice Waheed cautioned that contempt proceedings could additionally be initiated against Mr Raja if court directions were violated.

In practice, the judge remarked the PTI and Imran's family would have to provide an undertaking that no media talk would take place after meetings with the former prime minister.

Justice Afghan additionally called on the PTI not to politicise Imran's medical condition.

"The PTI people need to decide one thing: there will be no politics over the founder's medical condition, " he observed.

For context, the bench further directed authorities to provide complete details of Imran's cases, including those in which he was an under-trial prisoner, convicted or had his sentence suspended.

It additionally questioned why directions issued by the Islamabad High Court regarding meetings with Imran had not been implemented.

Mr Rehman remarked the matter was pending before the high court in an intra-court appeal and that the administration had not yet been served notice.

During the hearing, Dr Uzma attempted to address the court but was halted by Justice Afghan. This person stated her lawyer was present.

For context, the Supreme Court ordered authorities to submit Imran's complete medical record, details of his meetings over the past three years and records of his communication with his sons before the next hearing. Adiala jail authorities were additionally summoned to appear before the court. The hearing was adjourned until Sept 16.

For now, SC orders Imran Khans transfer to Shifa Hospital amid health concerns remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.