ailed Imran Khan Moved to Shifa Hospital Under Heavy Security

Following a historic directive from the Supreme Court of Pakistan, former Prime Minister Imran Khan has been transferred from Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad under stringent security measures.

The 73-year-old founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has been incarcerated since August 2023. His shift to the private tertiary healthcare facility marks his most significant physical move outside prison gates in over three years.

IMRAN KHAN HOSPITAL TRANSFER AT A GLANCE

Target Facility	Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad
Primary Authority	Supreme Court of Pakistan (3-Member Bench)
Transfer Timeline	Shifted within court's 48-hour mandate
Hospital Care Period	To remain hospitalized until September 16
Key Medical Concerns	Retinal vascular condition (CRVO), high blood pressure
Escort Protocol	Heavy elite police convoy & Islamabad IG oversight

The Supreme Court Intervention

The decision to move the former premier was delivered by a three-member Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Shahid Waheed. Invoking Article 9 of the Constitution of Pakistan—which guarantees the fundamental right to life and health—the apex court ruled that proper medical treatment takes precedence over administrative custody disputes.

Despite opposition from government legal representatives who advocated for treatment at public medical facilities, the court granted petitions filed by Khan’s legal team. The order explicitly states that Khan will remain at Shifa International Hospital until his next formal court assessment on September 16.

Medical Background and Health Concerns

Concerns regarding the former prime minister’s health intensified earlier this year when medical examinations revealed he suffered from right central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO)—an eye condition that severely threatened his vision. Recent medical evaluations submitted to the court indicated additional health complications, including fluctuations in blood pressure, elevated heart rate, and severe mental stress caused by extended solitary confinement.

Health Metric / Area	Adiala Jail Medical Summary	Supreme Court Mandated Action
Vision & Eye Care	Treated for CRVO; jail reported partial recovery.	Independent evaluation by specialist ophthalmologists.
Cardiovascular Health	Blood pressure recorded at 140/80; heart rate at 54 bpm.	Full cardiac workup by medical board cardiologist.
Family & Isolation	Severe restrictions on visitors and personal physicians.	Mandatory weekly family visits & personal doctor access.

Under the court’s guidelines, a specialized medical board has been formed at Shifa International Hospital to handle his care. This board includes Khan's personal physician, Dr. Faisal Sultan, alongside specialists in cardiology, eye care, and internal medicine.

Security Protocols & Political Directives

To handle the high-profile transfer, Islamabad’s Inspector General of Police and senior security officials oversaw heavy police deployment along the route from Rawalpindi to Islamabad. Security perimeters were established surrounding Shifa International Hospital to control traffic and manage public access.

SUPREME COURT HOSPITAL ORDER

MEDICAL COMPLIANCE	SECURITY & PUBLIC PEACE
Dedicated Specialist Board	Heavy Police Escort Convoy
Access for Personal Doctor	Prohibition on Political Rallies
Weekly Meetings with Family	Submissions Due On Sept 16

To maintain order, the Supreme Court instructed political parties and supporters not to use Khan’s medical updates for political rallies outside the medical center. PTI party leadership echoed these directions, asking supporters to refrain from assembling outside the hospital so that medical staff could work without hindrance.

The federal government confirmed it would implement the court’s directive in full, with complete progress reports scheduled for presentation before the Supreme Court at the next hearing on September 16.