Islamabad, Aug 21:
Jailed former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was shifted from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad on Friday for specialised medical evaluation, following an order by Pakistan’s Supreme Court.
Khan, 73, was moved to the hospital after the apex court directed authorities to ensure he received treatment from a medical panel that would also include his personal physician. The court ordered that he remain in hospital until the next hearing on September 16.
His family and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have repeatedly raised concerns over his deteriorating health, including substantial loss of vision in his right eye. imran Khan was reportedly diagnosed with right central retinal vein occlusion earlier this year.
PTI described the Supreme Court’s intervention as a “new ray of hope” and said it would continue with plans for a nationwide protest on September 27, demanding greater access to Khan, faster hearings in his cases and his release.
The former cricketer-turned-politician has remained in jail since August 2023 while facing multiple corruption and other cases, which he maintains are politically motivated. Pakistan’s government has rejected those allegations.