Pakistan’s former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan was shifted from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad early Friday following directions from the Supreme Court.
Khan was taken to the hospital at around 1am under tight security. Authorities significantly increased security around the hospital, with a heavy deployment of police and other security personnel reported in the area.
The transfer followed a Supreme Court order directing authorities to move Khan to Shifa International Hospital so that his health could be assessed by a specialist medical board and appropriate treatment could be provided.
Khan’s legal team has been pressing for improved medical care for the former prime minister. His lawyer, Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry, said in a post on social media platform X that efforts initiated on March 27, 2026, to secure proper medical treatment for Khan had finally reached their intended outcome.
The health of the former prime minister has been a contentious issue between his political party, supporters and the authorities. His lawyers and party leaders have repeatedly expressed concern about his medical condition and have sought access to specialist doctors.
The Supreme Court’s intervention came after continuing demands for Khan to receive treatment outside the prison. The court ordered that he be examined by a medical board, with the involvement of doctors familiar with his medical history.
Khan has remained incarcerated since August 2023 and faces several criminal and corruption-related cases. His supporters maintain that the cases against him are politically motivated, while Pakistani authorities have rejected those allegations and maintained that the legal proceedings are being conducted according to law.
The transfer to Shifa International Hospital has therefore attracted considerable political attention in Pakistan. PTI supporters have viewed the move as an important development in their long-running campaign for better medical facilities for their leader.
However, reports about Khan’s exact status after the medical examination have varied. While the initial transfer to the hospital was confirmed, subsequent reports indicated that he could be returned to Adiala Jail after undergoing medical examinations. Further official information is therefore important before concluding how long he will remain at the hospital.
The episode comes at a politically sensitive time in Pakistan, where Khan’s imprisonment, his legal cases and his health have remained major issues in the country’s political debate.
