Jailed Imran wins long awaited legal breather

The Supreme Court ordered the transfer of former Prime Minister Imran Khan from Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi to Islamabad's Shifa International Hospital within two days. This decision came after the court heard multiple matters concerning Imran's case, including his plea for medical treatment and access to family members and legal counsel.

Imran, who has been in detention for nearly three years, has reportedly been denied weekly meetings with his family and lawyers since December of the previous year. Additionally, he developed medical issues affecting his eyesight during this period. The court acknowledged the constitutional obligation to ensure the well-being of individuals in custody and directed the government to establish a specialized medical board for Imran's care.

The board would consist of a physician, general surgeon, internal medicine specialist, eye specialist, and cardiologist. Dr Faisal Sultan and Imran Khan's sister, Dr Uzma Khan, were permitted to remain involved in his medical treatment. The government was also ordered to provide complete details of all meetings between Imran and his family and lawyers over the past three months.

The court requested that Imran Khan and his associates refrain from using his medical information for political purposes. Failure to comply with these directives could result in the withdrawal of privileges granted under the order. The government was tasked with ensuring Imran Khan's security and making adequate arrangements for his stay at Shifa International Hospital.

The complete medical records, including tests and treatments administered since his arrest, were ordered to be submitted to the court at the next hearing. Imran's legal team argued that the Adiala Jail superintendent's report on his medical treatment was insufficient, but the court remained unconvinced, requesting the complete records.