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Hospital Transfer Ordered
Pakistan’s Supreme Court ordered jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan to be moved from Adiala prison to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad for medical examination and treatment within 48 hours, after months of complaints about his health.
“Former Prime Minister Imran Khan has been shifted from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad following Supreme Court order”
Reuters said the transfer happened early on Friday, with Khan’s party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf stating: “Former Prime Minister Imran Khan has been shifted from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad following Supreme Court order.”
The BBC reported that the three-judge panel ordered Khan be taken to hospital within 48 hours to be examined by physicians and specified he should be allowed to see his family.
The BBC also reported that the Supreme Court told Khan’s party not to conduct press conferences outside the hospital, and that the area around Shifa International Hospital was sealed off by police with barriers, officers and police vans in place.
Party Signals Reconciliation
As Khan’s hospital transfer unfolded, PTI spokesman Zafar Bhatti said the party would not confront the army if Imran Khan were released, telling Reuters: “If we suppose Imran Khan is released tomorrow, he will not do anything that would seriously harm the country,”.
Al Jazeera Net reported that Bhatti added, “This does not entail entering into a conflict with the establishment or with the military leadership,” as supporters continued protesting against General Munir, whom they consider responsible for Khan’s 2023 imprisonment.
The Al Jazeera Net account said the Supreme Court’s decision also allowed Khan to meet his family once a week and speak with his children by phone twice weekly, after the government opposed the ruling as “contradicts the strict framework of the law,” according to Law and Justice Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar.
Reuters reported that PTI spokesperson Zulfikar Bukhari called the ruling a “new ray of hope” but said the party would proceed with a nationwide march on September 27 to demand access to Khan, speedy hearings and his release.
Medical Oversight and Limits
The Express Tribune said the Supreme Court directed the government to constitute a specialised medical board for Khan’s care, and ordered that the board include a physician, general surgeon, specialist in internal medicine, eye specialist and cardiologist.
“A prisoner does not, by reason of his incarceration, cease to be entitled to humane treatment and necessary medical care”
The Express Tribune also quoted the court’s order that “A prisoner does not, by reason of his incarceration, cease to be entitled to humane treatment and necessary medical care,” while directing that Dr Faisal Sultan and Dr Uzma Khan be permitted to remain associated with Khan’s medical examination and treatment.
The Independent reported that the Supreme Court ordered Khan to be transferred to Shifa International within 48 hours and remain until 16 September, with spokesperson Naeem Haider Panjutha saying so on X.
The Independent further reported that the court directed Khan’s family be allowed to meet him at the hospital and that he be permitted to speak with his sons, while also describing PTI’s complaints about restrictions and Amnesty International’s call to end what it described as “unlawful” restrictions on his detention.