Pakistan shifts ex-PM Imran Khan back to prison after brief hospital visit

Former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan was transferred back to jail early on Friday, hours after being taken to a private hospital for court-ordered medical checks, the government said.

"A team of qualified doctors, including an ophthalmologist, a cardiologist, and a physician, conducted a detailed examination of him and declared him medically fit," Information Minister Attaullah Tarar wrote on X about Khan's health checks.

The Supreme Court had ordered on Tuesday that Khan be taken to the Shifa International Hospital in the capital Islamabad within 48 hours for treatment, after his lawyers petitioned the court over concerns that his health was poor.

Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi, who is also his spiritual guide, were both sentenced late last year to 17 years in jail.

Hundreds of police, some wielding sticks, were deployed near the hospital late on Thursday, with roads leading to the clinic cordoned off, ahead of the transfer.

Dozens of the 73-year-old's supporters had waited outside the hospital.

A spokesperson for Khan’s political party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and local media had also earlier confirmed his move back to jail.

Geo News had reported on Friday that doctors at Shifa International Hospital deemed it safe for Khan to remain in Adiala prison in the garrison city of Rawalpindi after a medical check-up.

"The former prime minister was examined by a six-member team of specialist doctors after being taken to the hospital. Following the check-up, doctors determined that he could safely remain in prison," the news channel said.

Khan’s lawyers say his health has deteriorated in prison and that he has lost significant vision in his right eye. The government has said medical reports disclosed no condition requiring immediate treatment.

In an interview with Reuters news agency on Wednesday, PTI spokesperson Zulfikar Bukhari, called the ruling a "new ray of hope" but said the party would proceed with a nationwide march on September 27 to demand access to Khan, speedy hearings in his cases and his release.

Khan has been in jail since August 2023 following convictions in several cases that he and his party have branded politically motivated.

The former cricketer, who came to power in 2018, lost a vote of confidence in parliament in April 2022, nearly a year short of completing his term.

Since then, he has faced numerous legal cases, including ones involving state gifts and corruption. Some of his convictions have been suspended or overturned, while several appeals remain pending before higher courts.

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Source: TRT