By Our Correspondent
LAHORE – The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed authorities to shift jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan to Islamabad’s Shifa International Hospital for a medical checkup, while ordering regular family meetings and the formation of a specialised medical board.
A three-member Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Shahid Wahid, along with Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, issued the directives while hearing Imran Khan’s petition seeking hospitalisation and better medical facilities.
The court ordered that Imran Khan’s personal physician and his sister, Dr Uzma Khan, should be associated with the medical board to monitor his health condition. It also directed lawyers and family members not to share medical reports with the media or use the matter for political purposes.
The ruling followed a health report submitted by Adiala Jail authorities, which stated that medical officers were examining Imran Khan three times daily and monitoring his blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen levels.
However, medical assessments revealed concerns over fluctuating blood pressure, palpitations, headaches and stress. Doctors recommended further cardiac evaluation, including CT coronary angiography, and suggested improvements in his prison routine to reduce mental stress.
The medical board also advised daily walks, access to newspapers, books and television, along with increased interaction with close family members to help manage anxiety and blood pressure issues.
The report highlighted that Imran Khan had earlier received treatment for an eye condition, right central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), after which his vision reportedly improved.
The issue has remained politically contentious, with PTI demanding treatment at Shifa International Hospital under the supervision of personal doctors, while the government has accused the opposition of politicising Imran Khan’s health concerns.
The Supreme Court’s order is expected to ease tensions between the government and PTI over the former prime minister’s medical treatment and prison conditions.
The implementation of the court’s directives, including the medical board’s recommendations and family access, will likely determine the next phase of the dispute over Imran Khan’s health and legal custody.
