Pakistan top court orders Imran Khan moved from jail to hospital

Pakistan's Supreme Court has ordered that former Prime Minister Imran Khan, currently incarcerated, be transferred to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad for medical evaluation. The 73-year-old politician was jailed in 2023 after being found guilty on several charges, which he alleges were politically motivated. Khan's lawyers have repeatedly expressed concerns about his deteriorating health while in prison, including high blood pressure, palpitations, and anxiety, as well as the loss of most of his vision in his right eye.

The court directed authorities to move Khan to the hospital within two days, a decision welcomed by Khan's aide, Sayed Zulfikar Bukhari, who stated that the order should have been made earlier to prevent his health from worsening further. Khan's spokesperson indicated that he is expected to remain in the hospital until September 16, 2023.

Khan served as Pakistan's Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022 before being overthrown in a no-confidence vote. He was later convicted on multiple charges, including an unlawful marriage and corruption, and sentenced to 17 years in prison for graft. Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and his family have consistently raised concerns about his well-being while in prison.

In early 2023, Khan's arrest sparked nationwide protests, leading to the arrest of hundreds of people. International cricket stars had also appealed to the Pakistani government for Khan to receive proper medical care in prison, demanding "decency and justice."