Ex-Pak PM Imran Khan moved to private hospital from prison after SC order

Imprisoned former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was shifted from Adiala prison to a private hospital in Islamabad after midnight Thursday for a medical examination, news agency AP reported citing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party's statement. Khan was taken to Shifa International Hospital hours after Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the government would comply with a Supreme Court order directing authorities to facilitate his medical examination. The PTI said the transfer was carried out following the Supreme Court's order earlier this week but did not provide further details. It remained unclear whether Khan would return to prison after the examination or stay at the hospital for further treatment. His family and party have sought permission for him to remain there. Earlier Thursday, Chaudhry said the government had approached the Supreme Court seeking clarification on whether the medical relief granted to Khan applied only to him or could also cover other prisoners. He stressed that the request was not aimed at delaying or defying the court's order. The three-judge Supreme Court panel had ordered authorities two days earlier to take Khan to Shifa International Hospital for a medical examination amid prolonged concerns raised by his family and personal doctors over his health and access to treatment. The court directed that a medical board examine him, including specialists and his personal physician, Faisal Sultan. The government has maintained that prisoners receive medical care under existing rules and can be moved to government hospitals when required. Concerns over Khan's health intensified in January after his family claimed he had lost about 85% of the vision in his right eye. The government disputed the claim and later said his vision had improved by around 70%. Khan, a former cricket star, was ousted as prime minister in a parliamentary no-confidence vote in April 2022. He has remained imprisoned since 2023 after convictions in multiple cases, including a graft case.