The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) has ordered government authorities to shift Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital.
A three-member bench comprising Justice Shahid Waheed, Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan, and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim issued the directive during the hearing. The court permitted Khan’s personal physician Dr. Faisal Sultan and his sister Dr. Uzma Khan to accompany him at the medical facility.
The judges also allowed family members to meet the former prime minister once a week.
The court ordered Khan to remain hospitalized until the next hearing while adjourning the proceedings to September 16.
During the hearing, Justice Shahid Waheed questioned why the petitioner requested a transfer to a private facility instead of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS). Counsel Uzair Bhandari replied that the authorities frequently take the former prime minister to PIMS.
When the bench asked who would bear the medical expenses at the private facility, the counsel stated that the family will pay the costs themselves. Justice Shahid Waheed further asked who would ensure that the medical reports will not become public or serve political purposes. Senior PTI leader Salman Akram Raja stated, “The medical report is a matter between the doctors and the PTI founder’s family.” Raja gave assurances that the party would not use the report for political purposes.
The development follows a medical report that the Adiala Jail superintendent submitted to the apex court, confirming that the former PM experienced fluctuating blood pressure, palpitations, headaches, and restlessness.
A medical board, including PIMS cardiologist Dr. Akhtar Ali Bandeshah, examined Khan on August 10. The board recorded his blood pressure at 140/80 mmHg and his pulse at 54 beats per minute.
The report noted a normal electrocardiogram and a slight abnormality in blood flow between the heart chambers during an echocardiogram.
Dr. Bandeshah linked the symptoms to stress caused by limited family contact and lack of media access.
The board recommended measures to reduce stress, including an hour of daily walking, access to newspapers, magazines, and television, and frequent meetings with immediate family members.
The doctors also advised a CT coronary angiography along with blood tests to evaluate kidney function and heart strain.
