International
Imran Khan Returns to Prison After Medical Examination in Islamabad
Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan has been returned to prison after undergoing a medical examination at a private hospital in Islamabad. ...
By Wavers Multimedia
Khan was transferred from Adiala prison to Shifa International Hospital shortly after midnight Friday following an order from Pakistan’s Supreme Court. He was examined by a team of specialists before being taken back to prison.
Pakistan’s Information Minister, Attaullah Tarar, said the medical team included an ophthalmologist, a cardiologist and a physician. The doctors declared Khan medically fit after the examination.
Khan’s sister, Azma Khan, was present during the examination and treatment, according to the minister.
The transfer followed months of concerns from Khan’s family and personal doctors about his health, particularly his eyesight. His family had previously said he suffered significant loss of vision in his right eye, although the government disputed the extent of the problem.
Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party and family had wanted him to remain at the hospital for further treatment. The government, however, returned him to prison after the medical assessment.
The Supreme Court had ordered Khan’s examination at the private hospital earlier this week after his family and lawyers raised concerns about his access to medical care. The court also directed that his medical board include specialists and one of his personal physicians.
The government had challenged part of the court's earlier order, arguing that allowing a prisoner to receive treatment at a private hospital could raise questions about equal treatment and prison rules.
Khan has been imprisoned since 2023 following convictions in multiple cases. The former cricket star was removed as prime minister in April 2022 after losing a parliamentary no-confidence vote.
Despite his imprisonment, Khan remains a major political figure in Pakistan, with his supporters continuing to demand his release.
The latest medical examination was carried out as the dispute over his health, access to treatment and conditions in prison continues.