Pakistan's Supreme Court ordered former Prime Minister Imran Khan, 73, to be transferred from prison to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad within 48 hours for medical examination and treatment due to his deteriorating health conditions [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8].

Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023 on multiple corruption-related charges that he and his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), assert are politically motivated [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]. In December 2025, he and his wife Bushra Bibi were sentenced to 17 years in prison [1, 2, 5, 7, 8].

The court mandated that a medical board, including Khan’s sister Dr. Uzma Khan and his personal physician Dr. Faisal Sultan, oversee his care during hospitalization [3, 6, 8]. It also directed that Khan be allowed weekly family visits and calls with his sons, who live abroad, during his hospital stay [1, 3, 6, 8].

Khan's health issues reportedly include severe vision loss in his right eye, with some sources stating he has lost about 85% of vision, while government officials claim there has been improvement to about 70% vision [1, 7, 8]. He also suffers from fluctuating blood pressure, anxiety, palpitations, and stress [1, 2, 3, 9, 7, 8].

Former President Arif Alvi called for his immediate hospitalization citing serious concerns over Khan's heart condition and stress, urging treatment under independent medical supervision [9]. PTI representatives welcomed the court decision, with adviser Zulfikar Bukhari saying, "We wish it had happened sooner so his eye and general health would not have deteriorated this much" [1]. PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja called it "a major step, a major decision, a great blessing" [2].

Government officials pledged to implement the order fully. Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhary said the administration would comply "in letter and spirit" and claimed Khan had received the best medical care available in prison even before the hospital transfer was ordered [6].

The court warned supporters not to gather outside the hospital during Khan's transfer to prevent breaches of its order [1, 5, 8]. Despite incarceration, Khan remains a prominent political figure with a large support base, prompting protests and unrest across Pakistan [1, 5, 7, 8].

Khan's next court hearing is scheduled for September 16, 2026, and the court has ruled he remain hospitalized at least until that date [3, 6].