Pakistan Government To Challenge Supreme Court Order On Imran Khan’s Hospital Transfer

The Pakistani government plans to appeal a Supreme Court ruling that requires jailed ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan to be transferred from Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad for medical treatment. The decision was made by a three-judge Supreme Court bench on August 18, 2026, after concerns were raised over Khan's declining health.

The court directed the formation of a multidisciplinary medical team to examine Khan, who is a 73-year-old founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The expenses for Khan's treatment will be covered by him or his family. Khan remains at the hospital until the next hearing on September 16, 2026. Pakistan's Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar announced that the government will file a review petition in the Supreme Court against the order, arguing that the direction to transfer a convicted prisoner to a private hospital does not align with existing prison regulations.

Tarar expressed concerns over the potential precedent set by such judicial orders, suggesting that Khan should be treated at a government healthcare facility instead. The government's initial response to the Supreme Court ruling had been to implement the order, but the recent shift in position has sparked a possible legal confrontation between the government and the judiciary regarding Khan's treatment.

The health of Khan, who has been incarcerated since August 2023 on various convictions, has been a significant concern for his family and supporters. One major issue is a retinal condition in his right eye, which could potentially lead to vision impairment. Khan's supporters have also raised concerns over fluctuations in his blood pressure and limited access to family members.

The government's legal challenge over Khan's transfer to a private hospital could reignite the dispute, with the next hearing scheduled for September 16, 2026.