Imran Khan taken back to jail after hospital checks: Pakistan govt

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan was taken back to prison on Friday morning (August 21, 2026) following a hospital visit for court-mandated medical examinations, according to the Pakistani government. The Supreme Court mandated that Khan be transferred to the private Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad for treatment, after his legal team raised concerns about his health.

Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, both received 17-year prison sentences last year. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar informed that Khan was examined at the public Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad, declaring him medically fit. Khan's sister, a medical doctor, was present during the examination. Hundreds of police with sticks were present near Shifa International Hospital, as roads were blocked for the transfer.

Khan's supporters had gathered outside the hospital. The court cautioned against public gatherings near the hospital or using his health condition for political gain. The next hearing is scheduled for September 16. Khan served as Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022 before being ousted in a no-confidence vote amid political tensions with the military.

Since then, Khan has faced multiple corruption charges, which he and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party claim are politically motivated. Khan's arrest sparked nationwide protests in May 2023, some of which turned violent. Khan, a cricket legend, was elected Prime Minister in 2018, promising economic reforms, but his government struggled with high inflation, debt, and a weakening currency.