Pakistan SC Orders Immediate Hospitalisation Of Ex-PM Imran Khan, Calls For Medical Board

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has mandated the immediate hospitalization of former Prime Minister Imran Khan while he is incarcerated. In addition, the court has mandated the formation of a medical board to monitor his health and treatment. The court, comprising three judges, is currently examining petitions related to Khan's medical care. The bench, which includes Justices Shahid Waheed, Naeem Akhtar Afghan, and Ishtiaq Ibrahim, is set to consider a range of issues related to Khan's wellbeing.

The court has requested Khan's full medical history from Adiala Jail, noting that the jail's summary report only contained incomplete information. The jail report had previously raised alarms about Khan's pulse and heart health and recommended an angiography. The Attorney General of Pakistan's party has indicated that such a procedure could be carried out at a hospital outside the jail premises.

The PTI, Imran Khan's political party, has also called for an investigation into the potential cause of blood clots found in Khan's body. The party has further requested that Khan's individual physicians be permitted to examine him. The Supreme Court has cautioned the PTI against allowing the issue of Khan's health to be turned into a political matter. Justice Afghan emphasized that the party must ensure Khan's medical situation does not become a subject of political contention.

Furthermore, the court has underscored that meetings between Khan and his siblings are a basic right. The judges have sought information regarding these meetings over the past three years, as well as records of calls between Khan and his children. Imran Khan, 73, has been held in custody since August 2023. He is currently facing multiple allegations, which both Khan and his party have labeled as politically motivated.