the family had previously become “completely hopeless”
Pakistan’s Supreme Court has ordered former Prime Minister Imran Khan to be transferred from Adiala prison to Islamabad’s Shifa International Hospital within two days.
The three-member bench also ordered a medical board to oversee Khan’s treatment, including his sister Dr Uzma Khan and personal physician Dr Faisal Sultan.
Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023 after being convicted in several corruption-related cases.
His Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has repeatedly demanded his transfer to a hospital for specialist medical treatment.
According to Khan’s lawyer Uzair Bhandari, the court also ruled that his family could visit him in hospital.
He will also be allowed to speak with his sons, who live abroad.
The Supreme Court’s order follows a report submitted by the superintendent of Adiala jail.
The report detailed an August 10 assessment by a cardiac board, which recorded fluctuating blood pressure and anxiety.
The anxiety was reportedly linked to restrictions on Khan’s contact with his family.
During Tuesday’s hearing, the court questioned Pakistan’s advocate general about gaps in the medical report.
The court said Khan’s pulse and heart condition were not normal, while his vital organs had reportedly begun to be affected.
Previous requests to transfer Khan to hospital had been rejected twice since February.
An Islamabad High Court ruling had instead ordered a medical board to assess his condition.
PTI has welcomed the Supreme Court decision, maintaining that Khan requires independent specialist treatment outside the prison system.
Senior PTI leader Zulfi Bukhari said medical treatment inside prison could not replace an independent assessment by specialists chosen by Imran Khan.
Government officials have maintained that any transfer requires judicial authorisation.
Rana Sanaullah, an adviser to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, previously said Khan was receiving the best available medical treatment.
The Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing for September 16.
According to Khan’s lawyer, the former prime minister is expected to remain hospitalised until at least that hearing.
The decision comes amid ongoing political tensions between the government and PTI.
The party has increasingly linked Khan’s detention and access to him with its willingness to resume talks with the government.
PTI has also announced plans for a nationwide protest on September 27.
The party has urged supporters not to gather outside Shifa International Hospital while Khan receives treatment.
It has instead called for a peaceful environment around the hospital.
Khan’s sister Aleema Khan said the family had previously become “completely hopeless” about securing the transfer.
She said the court order had provided a route towards justice for the family.
PTI spokesman Sheikh Waqas Akram said preparations for the September 27 march would continue.
He said the party would reconsider its actions if the government complied with court orders and reopened talks.
Political analysts have suggested the hospital transfer could create an opportunity for improved relations between PTI and the government.
Lahore-based political analyst Benazir Shah said there were signs of a possible thaw between the two sides.
She linked the possibility to wider security challenges facing Pakistan, including unrest in Balochistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
However, Shah cautioned against assuming reconciliation was imminent.
She said any agreement with PTI would ultimately require Khan’s approval because he remains the party’s central political figure.
The next developments could therefore depend on Khan’s health, hospital access and whether dialogue between PTI and the government resumes.
