Imran Khan, who served as the Prime Minister of Pakistan in the past few years, has been returned to Adiala Jail after a detailed medical examination in the Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad.
Doctors who followed up with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan said he did not need hospitalisation at this time, and he was taken back to Adiala Jail.
The 73-year-old former premier was taken from Adiala Jail to Islamabad hospital around midnight Thursday under tight security. The transfer was ordered by the Supreme Court of Pakistan, which said Khan should be moved to a specialised medical facility within 48 hours for examination and treatment.
After a medical assessment, Khan was transported back to Adiala Jail and put in his cell, jail officials said. The development comes as PTI leaders and supporters continue to push for better medical care for the imprisoned former prime minister.
Imran Khan: Six Medical Team Examines
Khan’s examination was performed by six specialist doctors at Shifa International Hospital. The medical assessment focused on health concerns such as blood pressure, anxiety and palpitations and headaches.
Khan also had doctors examine him in relation to residual concerns related to an earlier condition affecting his right eye, called central retinal vein occlusion. The condition has been of concern to his family, lawyers and political supporters, Khan said.
The medical team concluded that Khan’s condition did not warrant admission to the hospital. Doctors concluded that he could continue receiving appropriate monitoring while in custody,” the report said.
Khan is also in jail by virtue of his long-term medical condition and the ongoing legal battles that are still ongoing.
Heavy Security Around Hospital Visit
Khan’s move from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital was under heavy security. Police personnel were stationed around the medical facility and senior officials were reviewing arrangements ahead of his arrival.
The former prime minister was taken to the hospital discreetly in the late night hours, a sign of the increased security concerns around his movements. Khan is one of Pakistan’s most prominent politicians and any public appearance or transfer involving him will draw the attention of his supporters and his enemies.
Once the medical examination was done, security personnel escorted Khan back to Adiala Jail, where he was taken to his cell.
Supreme Court Directive led to medical examination
The hospital visit was directly linked with Pakistan's Supreme Court order. It had directed authorities to move Khan from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital for medical examination and treatment within a week.
The order came at a time in which Khan’s health was under threat and pressure from his political party for more specialist medical care. The examination was conducted to find out if he needed hospital treatment or was safe to continue to be detained if he could.
With doctors finding no immediate need for hospitalisation, authorities proceeded with his return to prison.
Imran Khan's continued imprisonment is a political flashpoint.
The political crisis that has been brewing under Khan since his arrest in August 2023 has continued with those cases and convictions to date, as well as several legal cases.
PTI's prolonged detention has since become a key political issue for PTI. The party has repeatedly called for his release and claimed that cases against its founder are politically motivated. Pakistani authorities and Khan’s political opponents have rejected such claims.
The former prime minister’s legal battles have also further poisoned PTI relations with the political establishment in the country. His supporters still see him as a powerful political force even though he is in jail, police maintained that his imprisonment was related to legal proceedings and court rulings.
Political Speculation Continues
Recent developments concerning Khan’s detention and his limited legal relief have also fuelled speculation about possible behind-the-scenes contacts between the establishment and PTI founder. The truth and the lack of agreement about such understanding remains politically sensitive and no agreement has been made and has not been confirmed.
Khan’s latest medical examination therefore comes against a much broader background of political confrontation, legal disputes and uncertainty surrounding Pakistan’s political future.
However, the former prime minister is still in Adiala Jail as doctors said he did not require hospital admission. His health, legal problems and ongoing imprisonment are going to remain central issues in Pakistan’s political reality, especially as PTI continues to pressure for his release.
