Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has been rushed to hospital from his solitary confinement in jail over serious health fears.
His party, Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), confirmed the transfer took place under tight security, though the Pakistani Government is still yet to speak out.
The hospital transfer followed a Supreme Court order from a three-judge panel, which directed that the 73-year-old be taken for medical examination within 48 hours.
Police sealed off the area surrounding the hospital with barriers, officers and vans.
Armoured vehicles patrolled nearby streets, and cars were cleared from the road using a truck.
The move represents the most substantial legal relief Mr Khan has received since he was jailed on corruption charges in 2023, which he maintains were politically motivated.
Writing for The Telegraph last night following his hospital move, former Tory peer Lord Hannan said Mr Khan was “paying a terrible price for standing by the principle of free elections under the rule of law”.
Lord Hannan also questioned whether the former cricketer was “slowly being poisoned” or if Pakistani military authorities were “probing to see whether he might be quietly disposed of without triggering a civil war”.
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has been rushed to hospital
|
GETTY
The court ruling also granted Mr Khan the right to see his family, something he had been denied for months.
His sister visited him in prison on Tuesday evening.
His sons – both of whom live in Britain – have previously spoken out on how they are forced to speak to him over the phone at random, and can sometimes go months without hearing from the former cricketing icon.
The Supreme Court instructed PTI not to hold press conferences at the hospital, effectively warning the party against turning the former Prime Minister’s medical stay into a political flashpoint.
PICTURED: Police officers arrive to take their positions outside Shifa International Hospital after the Supreme Court ordered authorities to move jailed former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan to the hospital
|
REUTERS
Mr Khan’s legal team has said he suffers from multiple health issues behind bars, including severely deteriorating eyesight, and has been unable to receive specialist treatment.
His lawyer said in February that he retained just 15 per cent vision in his right eye, blaming prison authorities for inaction – a claim the Government has contested.
In their ruling on Tuesday, the judges wrote: “We are mindful of the constitutional and legal obligation… to safeguard the life, health, dignity and security of the prisoner.”
The court confirmed an eye specialist would form part of his medical team at the hospital.
Both the judiciary and PTI warned supporters against gathering outside the hospital, as doing so would violate the court order.
Police officers stood guard outside Shifa International Hospital amid fears Mr Khan’s visit would become the focus of major protests
|
REUTERS
Mr Khan, a former captain of Pakistan’s national cricket team, held the office of Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022.
He was jailed in August 2023 and has since faced charges in over 100 cases, including allegations of leaking state secrets and selling state gifts – all of which he has denounced as politically motivated.
Late last year, both Mr Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi received 17-year prison sentences.
His detention sparked widespread protests from supporters, prompting a forceful response from the authorities.
Despite his imprisonment, Khan continues to wield considerable political influence in Pakistan, retaining a large and loyal base of supporters.
Discover more from PressNewsAgency
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.