SC orders IK moved from jail to Shifa Hospital

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court directed the government to shift Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad within the next two days, and facilitate his meetings with family members once a week, and allow him to speak with his sons by telephone twice a week.

A three-member bench, headed by Justice Shahid Waheed and comprising Justice Naeem Akhter Afghan and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, on Tuesday, heard cases concerning Imran’s access to his sisters and personal physicians, as well as his medical record.

The bench also ordered that the concerned officer/government, in consultation and coordination with the management of Shifa International Hospital, shall constitute a medical board comprising a physician, a general surgeon, a specialist in internal medicine, an eye specialist and a cardiologist for the medical examination and treatment of the prisoner.

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“Dr. Faisal Sultan and one of the prisoner’s sisters, namely Dr. Uzma Khan, shall be permitted to remain associated with the prisoner’s medical examination and treatment,” it further directed.

The Court said that the necessary expenses relating to the treatment and facilities provided by Shifa International Hospital shall be borne by the prisoner (Imran Khan) or his family members.

It also ordered that until the next date of hearing, none of the prisoner’s family members, members of his political party, or lawyers associated with him shall disclose or share his health condition or medical reports with the media or the public at large.

The bench further ordered that the concerned officer/government shall, through a proper application, place before this Court the complete medical record of the petitioner, including all medical tests and reports, prescriptions, medical opinions, examination reports, and details of the treatment administered to him from the date of his arrest until the present date.

The concerned officer/Government, through the Advocate General, shall also furnish details of all meetings held during the preceding three months between the prisoner, Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi, and his family members and lawyers.

The concerned officer/government shall furnish complete details of all cases in which the prisoner is accused, arrested, facing trial, or has been convicted and sentenced, the Court ordered.

The order said that the directions shall be complied with by the respondents, including the government, its officers and agencies, in letter and spirit until the next date of hearing, i.e., 16th September.

To ensure the maintenance of law and order and to prevent any untoward incident, the court directed that the prisoner’s political party and his family members shall ensure that no public gathering takes place within the premises of Shifa International Hospital.

The prisoner, or any person related to or associated with him in any capacity, shall not use the medical reports or information concerning his health as an instrument for political gain.

In the event of non-compliance with any of the directions contained herein, such non-compliance shall be viewed strictly, and the facilities granted under this order may be withdrawn forthwith.

If the government or any of its functionaries has any complaint regarding the misuse of the facilities granted under this order, the government or the concerned officer shall be at liberty to move an appropriate application before this Court.

Likewise, if the prisoner or his family members have any grievance concerning the implementation of this order, they shall also be at liberty to move an appropriate application before this Court.

The government shall make adequate security arrangements for the entire period during which the prisoner remains at Shifa International Hospital for treatment. The complete medical reports of the examination and treatment of the prisoner at Shifa International Hospital shall be placed before this Court on the next date of hearing.

During the proceedings, Justice Naeem Akhtar instructed Imran’s family and lawyers not to share his medical report with the media. Upon that, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said: “We assure the court that the medical report will remain completely confidential.”

The court further directed that no political activity, media talks or press conferences be held outside the hospital. “Do not engage in politics outside the hospital,” Justice Afghan said. “There are other patients in the hospital,” he added, stressing that other patients should not be affected.

Raja and PTI Parliamentary Secretary Shahid Khattak assured the court that no political activity would take place outside the hospital. “Our political activities will remain completely separate,” Raja said. The Additional Attorney General opposed the order, saying no notice had been issued to the government and that Imran could not be shifted to the hospital immediately.

Earlier, the court was told that Imran’s sisters had been allowed 48 meetings with him over the past three years. The court sought the complete record of those meetings, as well as details of calls between the PTI founder and his children.

Justice Waheed asked the Advocate General Islamabad, “What prevents you from providing the complete medical record of Imran Khan?” Justice Afghan noted that the report submitted to the court stated that an angiography was required and asked whether the procedure could be performed in jail. The AG Islamabad replied that it could be conducted at a hospital outside the jail.

Justice Waheed also referred to medical reports indicating that Imran’s organs had started to be affected in jail, that he had a heart problem and was suffering from mental distress. “Do not politicise Imran Khan’s illness,” Justice Naeem remarked, urging the parties to focus on his well-being.

Bhandari said the reason behind Imran developing a blood clot should come to light. He contended that they did not want what happened in 1979 to happen again.

The case is adjourned for further hearing until 16th September.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026