Govt says shifting Imran to PIMS instead of Shifa a ‘security decision’, insists move not political

Govt notes shifting Imran to PIMS instead of Shifa a 'security decision', insists move not political.

Key points

• Speaking on Geo News programme 'Naya Pakistan', Chaudhry outlined the rationale behind the decision, noting that all security arrangements had been created at Shifa International Hospital.
• PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram, speaking on the same show, remarked the administration had committed contempt of court by not shifting Imran to Shifa Hospital.
• Earlier today, Information Minister Tarar remarked Imran underwent a medical check-up at Pims before being shifted back to Adiala jail, adding that he was declared "medically fit".
• On Tuesday, the SC had directed the administration to move Imran to Shifa International Hospital, a private facility.
• "The administration, IG police and law enforcement agencies cordoned off the area, the hospital was made safe and Imran Khan departed Adiala jail, " Chaudhry remarked.

Govt notes shifting Imran to PIMS instead of Shifa a 'security decision', insists move not political. News Desk Published August 21, 2026 Updated August 21, 2026 09: 04pm. Add Dawn as a trusted source.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry on Friday remarked the decision to move PTI founder Imran Khan from Adiala jail to the state-run Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), instead of the private Shifa International Hospital, was produced by security agencies and was not political in nature.

On Tuesday, the SC had directed the administration to move Imran to Shifa International Hospital, a private facility. All eyes were on the hospital with a heavy police presence stationed on Thursday night. Nevertheless, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar disclosed on Friday morning that Imran was instead taken to the government-run Pims.

"The administration, IG police and law enforcement agencies cordoned off the area, the hospital was made safe and Imran Khan departed Adiala jail, " Chaudhry remarked. "But no security clearance could be granted."

Asked when the plan had changed, he replied that the decision was taken after arrangements had been created at Shifa and while the PTI founder was being transferred.

"When he was en route, our security institutions assessed the situation, and the police and law enforcement agencies decided that they could not control the law and order situation, " Chaudhry elaborated.

Pressed on why it was safe to take Imran to Pims but not to Shifa, the minister replied that the decision lay with the security agencies.

"If they don't take up their responsibility and ensure that a building is secure, or if they believe they cannot keep a building secure, we have to listen to what they are saying. This is not a political decision, " Chaudhry insisted.

He remarked the medical board constituted by the administration was against the court's orders, adding that Dr Uzma Khan, Imran's sister, was not familiar with the doctors on the board and Dr Faisal Sultan was not part of the medical board.

In practice, the PTI information secretary asserted that there were more media workers around Shifa International Hospital than members of the public. "There were just bystanders, no party workers."

"We did not discuss medical reports in today's press conference; we only discussed what happened yesterday, " Akram remarked, adding that the PTI had complied with the court's order.

He remarked the administration could still improve the situation by shifting Imran to Shifa Hospital before the PTI filed a contempt petition in the SC.

In a post on X, the information minister remarked, "In the light of the Supreme Court's order, the prisoner was taken to the hospital under appropriate security arrangements during the night between August 20 and 21."

"A team of qualified doctors, including an ophthalmologist, a cardiologist, and a physician, conducted a detailed examination of him and declared him medically fit, " he remarked, adding that Imran's sister Dr Uzma Khan was additionally present during the examination.

"In light of the security situation created by PTI workers on the way to and outside Al Shifa Hospital, he was taken to Pims and, according to the medical examination, was found healthy, " Tarar remarked.

Afterwards, Dr Uzma addressed a press conference in Islamabad alongside his personal physician, Dr Faisal Sultan. She remarked they had received a phone call on Thursday to reach Adiala jail, where Imran is incarcerated.

"So we reached the Adiala jail at around 8-8: 30pm, " she continued. Uzma remarked they were then taken to a deputy superintendent of police's room, whom she identified as Sibtain.

"Afterwards, Sibtain sahib asked Dr Sultan to go outside the room with him and me to stay in the room. After around 10 to 15 minutes, a female assistant sub-inspector took me to a car.", then.

She continued that all this while, police did not answer any of her queries, including those concerning Dr Sultan. Uzma remarked she was then taken to Pims.

For now, govt says shifting Imran to PIMS instead of Shifa a 'security decision', remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.