Pakistan Court Orders Imran Khan Hospitalized for Medical Care

Pakistan's Supreme Court ordered on August 18, 2026, that former Prime Minister Imran Khan be transferred from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad for specialized medical examinations. The 73-year-old former leader, incarcerated since August 2023, faced mounting legal petitions regarding deteriorating health conditions, including reported vision loss in his right eye, under the supervision of a specialized medical panel.

The court directive also mandated that jail authorities facilitate weekly family meetings and telephone communications with his sons, leading to a confirmed visit by his sister Noreen Niazi. Legal representatives and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party members previously accused authorities of systematically denying basic constitutional rights and adequate healthcare during his ongoing imprisonment on corruption charges.

The judicial intervention balances medical necessities with strict cautions against utilizing hospital access for political activities, threatening withdrawal of relief if violated. Imran Khan maintains that all legal charges against him and his wife Bushra Bibi are politically motivated amid persistent friction between his party and the government administration.