Supreme Court orders hospital transfer, weekly family meetings and a medical board as it seeks complete records of the former prime minister’s health.

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the transfer of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital for medical assessment and treatment, amid concerns over his health.

The three-member bench, headed by Justice Shahid Waheed and comprising Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, issued an interim order while hearing petitions concerning Khan’s medical treatment, access to his personal physicians and meetings with his family.

The court directed Adiala Jail authorities to arrange Khan’s transfer to the hospital under tight security and ordered that he remain there until the next hearing or until doctors consider him fit to leave. His family will bear the cost of his treatment.

The Supreme Court also ordered the constitution of a medical board comprising relevant specialists to assess and treat Khan. His sister, Dr Uzma, and personal physician Dr Faisal Sultan were directed to have access to him during his medical assessment and treatment.

Court orders weekly family meetings

The court directed the government to arrange weekly meetings between Imran Khan and his family and ordered arrangements for telephone conversations between the PTI founder and his children.

The bench questioned restrictions on meetings between Khan and his sisters, with Justice Waheed observing that meeting family members was a fundamental right rather than a favour.

The court was informed that Khan’s sisters had met him 48 times during the past three years and directed authorities to submit complete details of those meetings. It also sought records concerning his communication with his sons, including call detail records.

Supreme Court seeks complete medical record

The Supreme Court ordered authorities to submit Imran Khan’s complete medical record, questioning why only a summary had been presented to the bench.

A two-page report submitted by the Adiala Jail superintendent contained details of Khan’s medical treatment and health monitoring during his incarceration.

The report included a summary of 39 medical check-ups conducted by different specialists between November 4, 2023 and August 10, 2026.

According to the report, government doctors had examined Khan regularly and jail authorities had maintained records of the consultations.

The medical report stated that Khan had received treatment from ophthalmologists in Islamabad and Rawalpindi for central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), an eye condition previously diagnosed. It said the affected eye had almost regained normal vision.

Concerns over blood pressure and heart condition

The court considered Khan’s health in light of the latest medical report, which indicated fluctuating blood pressure, palpitations, headaches, restlessness and significant anxiety.

A PIMS cardiologist examined Khan on August 1 and recorded his blood pressure at 140/100mmHg, recommending measures to reduce mental stress, including more frequent meetings with his wife and access to reading material.

A four-member medical board that examined him on August 10 recorded his blood pressure at 140/80mmHg and recommended one hour of walking and relaxation, along with more frequent interaction with his immediate family and spouse to help manage his anxiety and blood pressure.

During the hearing, Justice Waheed observed that the report indicated Khan’s pulse and heart condition were not normal and that his vital organs had started to be affected.

Justice Afghan also referred to a recommendation for angiography and asked whether the procedure could be performed in jail.

The Islamabad Advocate General replied that the procedure could be conducted at a hospital outside the prison.

PTI seeks access for personal doctors

PTI lawyers sought access for Khan’s personal physicians, including Dr Asim Yusuf and Dr Faisal Sultan, as well as his sister Dr Uzma.

The PTI also questioned the completeness and authenticity of the medical documentation and sought an independent assessment by Khan’s personal doctors and a medical board.

The government maintained that Khan was receiving proper medical care. Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah told the Senate that Khan was receiving treatment from specialists and that his medical care and jail meetings were being conducted according to the law and relevant court orders.

Court bars political activity outside hospital

The Supreme Court directed Khan’s family and lawyers not to share his medical reports with the media and ordered that the medical information should not be used for political purposes.

The bench also directed that no political activity, media talks or press conferences be held outside the hospital during Khan’s stay.

PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja and Parliamentary Secretary Shahid Khattak assured the court that political activities would remain separate from Khan’s medical treatment.

The court warned that the facilities being provided to Khan could be withdrawn if its directions were violated.

Justice Afghan urged the PTI not to politicise Khan’s medical condition, stressing that there should be no politics surrounding his illness.

Court seeks details of cases against Imran Khan

The Supreme Court also directed authorities to provide complete details of the cases against Imran Khan, including the number in which he is an under-trial prisoner, cases in which he has been convicted and those in which his sentences have been suspended.

The bench further questioned why Islamabad High Court directions concerning meetings between Khan and his family had not been implemented.

Adiala Jail officials were summoned to the next hearing to explain the matter.

The Supreme Court adjourned the hearing until September 16, 2026.