SC grants Imran Khan major legal relief, orders transfer to Shifa hospital

A three-member bench comprising Justice Shahid Waheed, Justice Naeem Akhter Afghan and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim issued the order while hearing several connected matters

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has granted former prime minister Imran Khan a significant legal reprieve, directing authorities to transfer him from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad within two days for medical assessment and treatment.

A three-member bench comprising Justice Shahid Waheed, Justice Naeem Akhter Afghan and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim issued the order while hearing several connected matters concerning Khan’s medical treatment, access to his family and lawyers, and related legal proceedings.

The court also ordered the government to establish a specialised medical board to oversee Khan’s treatment. The board will include specialists in general medicine, surgery, internal medicine, cardiology and ophthalmology.

Khan, who has remained imprisoned at Adiala Jail for nearly three years, has reportedly faced health problems, including issues affecting his eyesight. The court observed that the medical material presented before it prima facie suggested a deterioration in his health.

The bench emphasised that imprisonment does not strip a person of the right to humane treatment and essential medical care. It directed authorities to provide the court with Khan’s complete medical history, including test results, prescriptions, doctors’ opinions, examination reports and details of treatment since his arrest.

The government must also submit records of meetings between Khan and his family members and lawyers during the previous three months, along with details of the cases in which he has been arrested, tried, convicted or sentenced.

The court further allowed Khan’s personal physician, Dr Faisal Sultan, and his sister, Dr Uzma Khan, to remain involved in his medical examination and treatment. The cost of treatment and facilities at Shifa International Hospital will be covered by Khan or his family.

The ruling also restored regular family contact. Authorities were directed to facilitate weekly meetings between Khan and his family and allow him to speak with his sons by telephone twice a week.

However, the court placed restrictions on the public disclosure of Khan’s medical information. His family members, lawyers and PTI representatives have been barred, until the next hearing, from publicly sharing his medical reports or health condition.

The court also prohibited political gatherings at the hospital and warned that Khan and those associated with him could not use medical information for political purposes. Any violation of the directions could result in the withdrawal of the facilities granted under the order.

During the hearing, Khan’s lawyer complained that authorities had not provided copies of his medical reports, test results and treatment details. The advocate general referred to a report from the Adiala Jail superintendent, but the bench described it as merely a summary of Khan’s condition and treatment.

The court questioned whether any law prevented the government from providing Khan and his family with copies of his medical records. The advocate general acknowledged that no such legal restriction existed.

In a separate connected case, the Supreme Court issued notices in appeals arising from contempt proceedings before the Islamabad High Court. The bench questioned the IHC’s decision to end the proceedings without providing reasons, stressing that judicial decisions must be supported by clear reasoning and comply with principles of natural justice.

The broader proceedings have been adjourned until September 16, with the Supreme Court ordering that the matter remain part-heard.

Following the ruling, Khan’s sister Noreen Niazi was allowed to meet him at Adiala Jail for the first time in around nine months. The meeting lasted about 15 minutes, during which she briefed him on the Supreme Court’s decision and asked about his health.

Khan’s other sisters, Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan, accompanied Noreen to the jail. Bushra Bibi also met Khan separately, with their meeting reportedly lasting around half an hour.

Aleema Khan welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision, expressing happiness over the development as Khan’s family prepared for the former premier’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital.