Pakistan: Could ex-PM Imran Khan make a new deal?

On Tuesday, Pakistan's Supreme Court ordered jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan to be transferred from Adiala jail to the Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad for medical evaluation due to concerns about his deteriorating health. Khan, 73, has been incarcerated since August 2023 and is serving a 14-year sentence on corruption charges he claims are politically motivated.

Khan was ousted in a parliamentary no-confidence vote in April 2022. Despite his imprisonment, Khan remains politically influential, with his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), performing well in the February 2024 election. Analyst Raza Rumi noted that Khan's medical conditions, including poor eyesight, fluctuating blood pressure, and anxiety, have worsened due to solitary confinement in prison.

However, Khan's adviser, Sayed Zulfi Bukhari, dismissed speculation of a political deal, stating, "There is no deal between Imran Khan and anyone." The government has vowed to contest the Supreme Court's decision, insisting that a convicted prisoner must be treated in jail or a public hospital. Legal expert Osama Malik emphasized that Khan remains a prisoner and will not be granted bail or have his convictions suspended.

Analyst Rumi highlighted that the case is not solely about medical care but also about trust, as the PTI and Khan's family have questioned his access to doctors and the transparency of his treatment. The court has appointed a medical board, including Khan's sister and personal physician, to oversee his treatment, and the state has a vested interest in ensuring credible and transparent care due to Khan's age and deteriorating health.