In brief
The Supreme Court of Pakistan has directed that former Prime Minister Imran Khan be taken to Shifa International Hospital within 48 hours following reports of deteriorating eyesight and other health problems. The ruling also permits weekly family visits and phone calls with his sons while arranging specialist care for his needs. Khan, who has faced more than a hundred corruption cases that he insists are politically motivated, remains a powerful figure in Pakistani politics and continues to rally support from across the country, including among indigenous communities that feel their rights are increasingly threatened. The court’s decision underscores the court’s duty to safeguard a prisoner’s health, dignity and security, while the political debate over his imprisonment continues. The move is expected to halt further legal proceedings and provide medical oversight for the former leader.
On Tuesday, Pakistan’s highest court ordered that jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan be moved to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad within the next 48 hours after authorities reported worsening health conditions, notably a severe loss of vision.
The three‑judge panel issued the directive to ensure Khan receives immediate medical examination by qualified physicians, including an eye specialist given his documented 15% remaining vision in his right eye.
The ruling also allows for weekly family visits and scheduled telephone connectivity with his sons, marking a small concession amid a broader contest over his imprisonment following corruption charges he maintains were politically motivated.
Despite his conviction and the state’s non‑public statements, Khan’s political influence remains strong, backed by supporters who have frequently protested his incarceration, pointing to larger tensions that echo concerns among local indigenous populations over erosion of cultural rights and autonomy.
Pakistani authorities are still adapting to the decision, with the court emphasizing its constitutional obligation to preserve health, dignity and security for all prisoners. The transfer is expected to halt further legal proceedings and may serve as a catalyst for increasing dialogue around judicial and health‑care equity in the region.
