Former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan and founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party was transferred back to Adiala jail in Rawalpindi in the early hours of Friday after undergoing a medical examination at a private hospital in Islamabad.
Imran Khan was transferred from the prison to the private Al-Shifa Hospital in Islamabad on Tuesday following an order by the Supreme Court of Pakistan for him to undergo medical examinations and receive treatment.
The Supreme Court issued the order after reviewing a medical board’s report and a report from the prison superintendent regarding Khan’s health. The court directed that he be taken to a private hospital for medical evaluation and treatment.
Under the court’s order, Khan’s personal physician and his sister were also permitted to be present during his medical care. A medical board comprising specialists was tasked with assessing his health condition.
Pakistani media reported that Khan was returned to prison after several hours of medical examinations and evaluations at the hospital. Following the assessment, doctors determined that his health condition was suitable for him to continue his stay in prison.
The transfer came after the Pakistani government, on Wednesday, opposed the Supreme Court’s order to move Khan to a hospital and filed a review petition challenging the decision.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court’s registrar’s office returned the government’s petition due to certain administrative deficiencies. The government may resubmit the review petition after addressing those shortcomings.
Imran Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023 and has been sentenced to prison terms in several cases. The charges against him include the alleged illegal sale of state gifts, inciting violence against military and government installations, and an unlawful marriage.
However, all but one of Khan’s convictions have either been suspended or overturned, while appeals in several cases remain ongoing. Khan has denied all the allegations against him.
Pakistan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf party has also announced that it will hold nationwide demonstrations on September 27 this year in support of Imran Khan’s release.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
