Former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, was transferred back to Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail during the early hours of Friday following a midnight medical examination at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad.
According to Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, a panel of doctors—including a cardiologist, ophthalmologist, and general physician—evaluated the 73-year-old Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and declared him “medically fit” for prison custody.
Key Developments Surrounding the Hospital Visit
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Supreme Court Order & Venue Controversy: The Pakistan Supreme Court had previously directed authorities to transfer Khan to Shifa International Hospital, a private facility, for evaluation following health concerns raised by his legal team. However, the government instead routed him to the government-run PIMS Hospital, citing security concerns and potential crowd gathering by PTI supporters outside the private hospital.
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Eye Ailment Treatment: Khan has undergone evaluations for Right Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO)—a vascular condition affecting vision in his right eye—first diagnosed in late January. While his family and legal representatives reported significant vision loss, jail authorities submitted reports to the apex court stating his condition had improved considerably following medical interventions.
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Sister’s Allegations: Khan’s sister, Uzma Khan, who was permitted to meet him at PIMS, alleged that her brother was suffering from health complications caused by prolonged solitary confinement, including fluctuating blood pressure and anxiety.
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Political Reactions: The PTI leadership criticized the administration for violating the Supreme Court’s explicit direction regarding the choice of hospital, while government officials maintained that specialists from both PIMS and Al-Shifa were involved in the check-up process to ensure full compliance with health mandates.
