Imran Khan returned to jail after court‑ordered medical checks
Hours after a Supreme Court‑mandated examination at a public hospital, the former prime minister was moved back to prison.
Imran Khan was taken from a court‑ordered medical examination to Adiala Jail early Friday, the government said. The move followed a Supreme Court order that he be examined at a private facility in Islamabad within 48 hours. Instead, officials said he was examined at the public Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) because of security concerns around his supporters at the private clinic.
Why the health check matters
The former prime minister, who was removed from office in 2022 after a no‑confidence vote, has been a polarising figure. His supporters view the health examinations as a political ploy, while the judiciary says they are needed to verify his fitness for detention. The court warned that any public gathering at the hospital or misuse of his medical information could lead to a reversal of the order.
Attaullah Tarar, the information minister, posted on X that a team of doctors, including an ophthalmologist, a cardiologist and a physician, examined Khan and found him medically fit. He added that Khan’s sister, Uzma Khan, a doctor, was present during the assessment.
A team of qualified doctors, including an ophthalmologist, a cardiologist, and a physician, conducted a detailed examination of him and declared him medically fit.
Legal and political fallout
The court has set the next hearing for 16 September, where further arguments over his health and the conditions of his detention will be heard. Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were sentenced to 17 years in prison late last year on corruption‑related charges that the PTI says are politically motivated. Their imprisonment has already sparked nationwide protests and occasional violence.
Security forces deployed hundreds of officers around the Shifa International Hospital on Thursday night, sealing off roads and deterring crowds of supporters who had gathered outside. The heavy police presence reflects the government’s fear of unrest, a concern that has lingered since Khan’s arrest in May 2023.
Analysts say the episode could affect Pakistan’s already fragile economy, already strained by high inflation, debt and a weak rupee. Any escalation in street protests or further legal battles may deter foreign investment and complicate the country’s economic reforms.
As the legal saga continues, the balance of power between the judiciary, the military‑influenced establishment and Khan’s PTI remains uncertain, with the next court date likely to be a flashpoint for both supporters and opponents.
