The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ordered that jailed former prime minister Imran Khan be transferred to hospital for medical examinations within two days, the court announced on 18 August 2026.
Judicial order and immediate arrangements
Justice Shahid Waheed issued the directive that Khan, who has been in prison since 2023 on corruption charges, be shifted to Shifa International hospital in the capital, Islamabad. The ruling follows a petition by Khan’s lawyers alleging deteriorating health.
According to reporting by AFP, the court’s order allows for controlled family access: Khan’s legal team said his family will be permitted to meet him once a week. The court also authorised that his sister, Uzma Khan, a medical doctor, "will be with him during his treatment," the lawyer added.
“A major step, a major decision, a great blessing,” Salman Akram Raja, secretary‑general of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek‑e‑Insaf (PTI), said outside the court, urging supporters to avoid crowding or commotion.
Background to the hospital move
Khan, 73, and his wife and spiritual guide Bushra Bibi were both sentenced late last year to 17 years in prison. The former cricketer turned politician served as prime minister from 2018 until his removal in a 2022 no‑confidence vote during a period of high tension between his government and the country’s powerful military establishment.
AFP reported there was no immediate detail in the court file about the specific medical complaints cited by his lawyers. Earlier this year Khan received eye treatment at a hospital; his family and lawyer said at the time that he had lost most of the vision in his right eye.
Political context and risks
The order takes place against a backdrop of deep political polarisation. Khan remains the dominant political personality in Pakistan despite his incarceration, and his arrest in 2023 prompted nationwide protests, some of which turned violent. Khan and his party maintain that the legal cases against him are politically motivated.
PTI leaders have appealed to supporters to respect the court’s directions and to avoid gatherings that could escalate into unrest. AFP quoted party officials urging calm and adherence to the court’s terms for visits.
- Prison status: In custody since 2023 on corruption charges.
- Sentence: Both Khan and Bushra Bibi were sentenced to 17 years late in 2025.
- Hospital: Shifa International hospital, Islamabad; transfer to occur within two days of the ruling.
What the order means going forward
The transfer is procedural in the immediate term — medical checks and treatment under court supervision — but it carries political significance. Any change in Khan’s health or the conditions of his detention could become a focal point for supporters and opponents alike. The court’s decision to permit limited family access, and the presence of his sister during treatment, appears aimed at balancing humanitarian concerns with security and judicial oversight.
| Event | Date / detail |
|---|---|
| Supreme Court order | 18 August 2026 — transfer to hospital within two days (AFP) |
| In custody | Since 2023 — on corruption charges |
| Sentence | 17 years (Khan and Bushra Bibi), sentenced late 2025 |
The court’s intervention will be watched closely by regional observers and Pakistan’s neighbours, given the potential for political fallout. For now, authorities and PTI officials have urged restraint, stressing that any visits and movements should proceed in an orderly fashion under the court’s conditions.
The reporting on the order and its immediate terms is based on AFP coverage, as carried by RFI.
