Supreme Court orders transfer of Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital for medical evaluation

The court further ordered the establishment of a specialized medical board to oversee his health, while simultaneously instructing authorities to maintain public order in the vicinity of the hospital during his stay.

The judicial intervention follows a petition filed by lawyer Uzair Bhandari, who sought the transfer to ensure his client receives necessary diagnostic procedures that cannot be performed within the confines of the prison environment.

During the hearing, Justice Shahid Waheed expressed significant dissatisfaction regarding the documentation provided by prison authorities, noting that the court had only received a summary of medical reports rather than a comprehensive health record.

The bench directed that the complete medical history be submitted before the next hearing, emphasizing that once these documents are presented to the court, they will no longer be treated as confidential.

Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan specifically inquired about the feasibility of performing an angiography within the jail, to which the Islamabad advocate general confirmed that such procedures require the specialized facilities of an external hospital.

Justice Waheed further highlighted alarming indicators in the provided reports, noting documented abnormalities in Imran Khan’s pulse and cardiac function, which suggest that his vital organs may be experiencing adverse effects due to his prolonged detention. Beyond the immediate medical concerns, the Supreme Court addressed the fundamental rights of the detainee regarding family access.

The bench questioned why directives previously issued by the Islamabad High Court concerning meetings with family members were not being fully implemented.

While the Islamabad advocate general asserted that Imran Khan had been permitted to meet with his sisters on 48 occasions over the past three years, the court demanded a detailed log of all such interactions, including records of his conversations with his children. The judges underscored that the right to meet family is a fundamental entitlement that must be respected.

To balance these rights with security concerns, the court stipulated that the PTI and the family must provide formal affidavits confirming that no media statements or political messaging will occur following these meetings.

Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan emphasized that the health and medical treatment of the PTI founder must remain strictly a humanitarian matter and should not be leveraged for political activity. In a broader scope, the apex court has requested a comprehensive breakdown of all legal cases currently pending against Imran Khan.

This includes a detailed list of cases where he remains an under-trial prisoner, those in which he has received convictions, and those where sentences have been suspended. The court has directed Adiala Jail officials to provide these records and to offer a formal explanation regarding the alleged non-compliance with earlier Islamabad High Court orders.

The proceedings have been adjourned until after the summer recess, at which time jail authorities are expected to appear before the bench to provide the requested documentation and updates on the implementation of the court's directives.

The court's decision marks a significant development in the ongoing legal and health-related challenges surrounding the former prime minister's detention, prioritizing medical oversight while seeking clarity on the procedural aspects of his confinement and family visitation rights.