Imran Khan moved to Shifa Hospital under tight security

Imran Khan was reportedly taken from Adiala Jail’s Gate No. 1, with a heavy police contingent accompanying him to the hospital. Security

ISLAMABAD: PTI founder Imran Khan has been shifted from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad under heightened security, according to sources.

Imran Khan was reportedly taken from Adiala Jail’s Gate No. 1, with a heavy police contingent accompanying him to the hospital. Security arrangements were significantly strengthened around the medical facility, with Islamabad Inspector General of Police and senior police officials visiting Shifa International Hospital to review the deployment.

Sources at the hospital said special arrangements had been made for Khan’s medical examination. A team of six specialist doctors is expected to conduct his check-up, after which hospital authorities will decide whether he needs to be formally admitted for treatment.

Additional security measures have also been put in place inside and outside the hospital ahead of his arrival.

The development comes a day after the Supreme Court Registrar’s Office returned a review petition challenging Khan’s transfer to hospital, citing objections to the filing.

Meanwhile, Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry has also raised the possibility of Khan being sent abroad, although no final decision on the matter has been announced.

Earlier, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has decided to approach the Supreme Court with a contempt of court petition if former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan is not transferred to Shifa International Hospital by Thursday night.

According to PTI sources, the party is waiting for implementation of the Supreme Court’s order regarding Imran Khan’s Shifa Hospital transfer. If no progress is made by the deadline, the party plans to file the contempt petition on Friday morning.

The Supreme Court had ordered on August 18 that Khan, who remains imprisoned, be transferred to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad for medical assessment and treatment. The court also directed the formation of a medical board, including specialists and Khan’s personal physician.

The order came amid continuing concerns surrounding Khan’s health and access to medical treatment. The court also issued directions concerning family meetings and communication with his son.

The government, however, challenged the decision. On August 19, it filed a review petition arguing that the order to move Khan to a private hospital should be reconsidered. The government has maintained that existing prison and legal procedures should be followed regarding treatment of prisoners.

The legal dispute intensified on Thursday when the Supreme Court Registrar’s Office returned the government’s review petition after raising objections. Sources said the government intends to address the objections and submit the petition again.

PTI has maintained that the Supreme Court’s order should be implemented without delay. Party representatives have warned that failure to comply with the directive could lead to contempt proceedings against the officials responsible for implementation.

The developing situation has created another legal and political confrontation between PTI and the government. The next several hours could determine whether the matter is resolved administratively or moves into another round of proceedings before the Supreme Court.

For now, PTI’s position is clear: if Imran Khan is not shifted to Shifa International Hospital by Thursday night, the party says it will seek legal action through a contempt of court petition on Friday morning.