Pakistan govt to challenge Imran Khan’s hospital transfer

Pakistan's government has vowed to contest a Supreme Court order directing the transfer of former Prime Minister Imran Khan to a private hospital, according to Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar. The order, issued on Tuesday, mandates that Khan be moved to the Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad within two days and granted access to his personal physician.

Khan, currently incarcerated in Rawalpindi since August 2023, was convicted in several cases his supporters allege are politically motivated. The court's decision has drawn criticism, particularly from Khan's party and family, who argue that it infringes on his right to healthcare and visitation rights. Tarar emphasized that a convicted prisoner should be treated either in jail or a public hospital, asserting that the government intends to appeal the ruling.

Khan's sons, who have expressed deep concerns about his deteriorating health, welcomed the court order but urged the government to implement it immediately and without delay. His younger son, Kasim, emphasized that Khan's health is "all that matters," and they hope the government will adhere to the court's directives, including arranging regular phone calls between Khan and his sons.