By Desmond Nleya
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered authorities to move jailed former prime minister Imran Khan to hospital for medical examinations following concerns raised by his lawyers over his health.
Justice Shahid Waheed ordered that the 73-year-old former premier be transferred within two days to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad.
The court has also reportedly ordered that Khan be allowed weekly meetings with his family.
Khan has been imprisoned since 2023 after being convicted in corruption cases. He and his wife were sentenced late last year to 17 years in prison.
The former Pakistan cricket captain has received medical treatment for an eye problem this year, with his family and lawyers claiming that he has lost most of the vision in his right eye.
Khan served as Pakistan’s prime minister from 2018 until 2022, when he was removed from office through a parliamentary no-confidence vote amid a political crisis and growing tensions with the country’s powerful military establishment.
Since his removal, Khan has faced numerous legal cases involving corruption and other charges. His Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has consistently rejected the allegations, saying the cases are politically motivated.
His arrest in May 2023 triggered widespread protests across Pakistan, some of which became violent and resulted in hundreds of arrests.
The Supreme Court’s order now places Khan’s health and medical treatment at the centre of renewed attention surrounding his continued imprisonment.
