Pakistan’s Supreme Court ordered former prime minister Imran Khan, 73, to be moved from Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail to Shifa International Hospital within 48 hours, with the stay set to run until September 16. The ruling follows a petition by his lawyers citing deteriorating health and adds pressure on the government amid ongoing political tensions.
The three‑judge bench headed by Justice Shahid Waheed directed the creation of a medical panel comprising a cardiologist, general medicine specialist, eye specialist and Khan’s personal physician. A recent jail examination recorded high blood pressure, palpitations and loss of vision in his right eye. The order was issued on August 18, 2026, and the PTI spokesperson urged immediate compliance while banning supporters from gathering at the hospital.
PTI welcomed the decision as a long‑awaited safeguard for Khan’s health and called on authorities to honor the court’s mandate. The government has not responded publicly, and the restriction on supporters aims to prevent potential protests that have historically erupted around Khan’s imprisonment.