Imran Khan Hospitalized Amid Ongoing Legal Battles

In a dramatic development, Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, was taken to a hospital in Islamabad under orders from the Supreme Court, following concerns over his deteriorating health. The interim transfer occurred in the early hours of Friday, but just hours later, he was returned to Adiala prison in Rawalpindi, as reported by party officials.

At 73 years old, Khan’s health has reportedly been declining in prison, with his legal team expressing deep concerns about significant vision loss in his right eye. Meanwhile, government officials have stated that medical assessments found no immediate health issues requiring sustained treatment.

Pakistan’s Information Minister confirmed Khan’s return to prison, explaining that a team of qualified doctors had declared him medically fit. This decision came after the Supreme Court issued an order directing authorities to transfer Khan to Shifa International Hospital within 48 hours and ensure he had access to his personal physician and a medical panel.

In response to the heightened security situation, additional personnel were deployed around the hospital prior to Khan’s arrival. For months, Khan’s party and family have advocated for him to receive adequate medical care.

In February, concerns were raised about Khan potentially suffering severe damage to his eyesight, with reports indicating he had only 15% vision left. Supporters have claimed that he was denied proper medical attention while in solitary confinement at Adiala Jail, which has become a site of protests as family members and supporters gathered to demand his access to specialist treatment.

During a recent court session, judges expressed the need to involve an eye specialist for Khan’s medical issues. They stated: “We are mindful of the constitutional and legal obligation… to safeguard the life, health, dignity, and security of the prisoner.” A spokesperson for Khan’s party reassured the court that supporters would not gather at the hospital to allow for a smooth medical process.

In the early morning hours of Friday, Asad Qaiser, a close ally and former speaker of the national assembly, communicated via social media about their decision, emphasizing that anyone attempting to protest would no longer be associated with the party.

Imran Khan was arrested in 2023 and subsequently sentenced to three years in prison on corruption charges, alongside a five-year disqualification from politics. Despite Khan and his party’s claims of political motivation behind the charges, the legal challenges have continued to mount against him, with over 100 cases currently pending. He received a further 14-year sentence in 2025 linked to corruption involving prime ministerial land deals.

Khan, who previously captained Pakistan’s national cricket team, served as prime minister from 2018 until 2022 before being ousted in a vote of no confidence. Since then, he has accused various entities, including the US and the Pakistani military, of complicity in his removal. Anti-corruption measures taken by his government are often cited as factors leading to his fall from grace.