Imran Khan’s Hospital Visit Sparks Allegations of Court Order Violation
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Allegations have surfaced from the family and opposition party of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan. They claim that authorities disregarded a Supreme Court directive by taking Khan to a public hospital for a medical checkup, instead of a designated private facility.
Uzma Khan, Imran Khan’s sister, reported from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, a government-run hospital in Islamabad, where Khan was brought for examination. Meanwhile, Khan’s personal doctor, Faisal Sultan, stated that he anticipated Khan’s arrival at Shifa International Hospital but was informed later that Khan had returned to Adiala prison in Rawalpindi.
These revelations came shortly after Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed Khan’s return to prison post-medical assessment, declaring him medically fit. According to Tarar, Khan’s transfer to the public hospital was necessitated by security concerns due to the presence of Khan’s party supporters outside Shifa International Hospital. Tarar affirmed Khan’s good health following the medical evaluation.
The night also saw a significant media presence outside the private hospital, as Khan’s party had announced his expected arrival there. In response, authorities bolstered security around the location.
During a meeting with his sister, Khan expressed grievances about being held in solitary confinement, which Uzma Khan described as a form of mental torture. Senior PTI figure Suhail Afridi echoed accusations against the government for allegedly breaching the court order by selecting a public hospital.
The Supreme Court had mandated Khan’s examination at Shifa International Hospital by a medical team comprising specialists and one of his personal physicians. However, the government insists that current prison regulations allow inmates to receive medical attention within prison facilities, and they can be transferred to public hospitals if required.
Concerns over Khan’s health escalated earlier this year when his family reported significant vision loss in his right eye, a claim contested by the government. Authorities later reported improvements in his condition.
The former cricket star, who transitioned into politics, was ousted from office through a parliamentary no-confidence vote in April 2022. He has been incarcerated since 2023 following convictions in several cases.
