The Pakistan Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered that jailed former prime minister Imran Khan be shifted to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad within two days for medical assessment and treatment, and allowed him to meet his family once a week during his stay.
The order follows months of concern raised by the 73-year-old Khan's family and supporters over his health, along with repeated allegations that he has been denied adequate medical care.
The top court directed that Khan be taken to the private hospital "within the next two days" and remain there until the next hearing on September 16.
It also ordered the constitution of a medical board to assess Khan's health and oversee his treatment.
Khan, founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf political party, has been lodged in Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail since 2023 and is facing several cases.
His supporters have continued to protest against his incarceration.
His relatives and party colleagues have repeatedly alleged human rights violations and accused the authorities of restricting his access to adequate medical care, family visits and legal counsel.
The court's directive came while hearing several identical petitions following an eye ailment that Khan developed earlier this year.
The petitioners had sought his transfer to a private hospital, saying they were not satisfied with the treatment he was receiving at government hospitals.
"Mindful of the fundamental rights, we are issuing this order to ensure the health and safety of the prisoner," Justice Shahid Waheed, head of a three member bench, said while passing the order.
The order came a day after prison authorities told the top court that Khan's eye condition had improved significantly and his vision was "almost normal".
As it ordered the constitution of a medical board to assess and treat Khan, the bench also directed that a senior doctor and Khan's personal physician be present during his medical assessment and treatment.
The cost of Khan's treatment at the private hospital will be borne by his family.
The bench stressed that law and order outside the hospital must not be affected during Khan's stay and directed his party and supporters not to use the medical report for political purposes.
The court warned that any violation of its directions could result in the withdrawal of facilities being provided to Khan.
In its report, the jail authorities included a summary of 39 medical check ups conducted by different specialists between November 4, 2023 and August 10, 2026.
It said several government doctors had examined Khan, with records of the consultations maintained by the jail authorities.
According to the report, Khan received treatment from leading ophthalmologists in Islamabad and Rawalpindi and his affected eye had "almost regained normal vision".
Khan was taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad for eye treatment multiple times after his ailment, right central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), came to light in late January.
"Consequently, significant improvement of his eye has been noticed, and his vision returned to almost normal," the jail authorities said in the report.
The medical report also recorded Khan's blood pressure at 140/80 and his pulse at 54 beats per minute.
It said his ECG was normal and his chest was clear.
Khan had complained of heaviness in his head and a rapid heartbeat but reported no chest pain or shortness of breath, according to the report.
The report filed by the jail authorities added that the medical interventions and improvement in his vision showed that the jail administration had made all out efforts to provide Khan with the best healthcare facilities, a claim that Khan's party colleagues have dismissed.
The order comes at a time when voices accusing the Pakistani authorities of human rights violations against Khan have grown louder.
Earlier this month, Amnesty International accused Pakistani authorities of systematically denying him a fair trial and subjecting him to prolonged unlawful solitary confinement.
Last week, activists associated with Khan's political party staged a demonstration outside the Supreme Court over his health condition and the alleged denial of meetings with him, a claim the government has dismissed.
They called off the protest after being assured that the matter would be heard the following week.
On Tuesday, the apex court summoned Adiala Jail officials to the next hearing on September 16 and directed them to submit Khan's complete medical record.
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhary said the government would implement the court's order "in letter and spirit".
Chaudhary told Geo News that the ruling concerning Khan vindicated the government's position, adding that the federal government had no authority to release a prisoner convicted by a court.
"We have repeatedly maintained that decisions regarding [the former premier's] release, health matters and other legal issues would be made by the judiciary," he said, adding that the government's differences with Khan were political and not personal in nature.
Khan's party welcomed the Supreme Court's decision ordering the transfer of its founder to Shifa International Hospital.
Senior leader Salman Akram Raja urged party workers and supporters not to gather outside the hospital, saying a peaceful environment should be maintained in the interest of Khan's health and treatment.
