{
  "id": 1924114,
  "title": "Pakistani authorities seek court review of order allowing Imran Khan hospital treatment",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/pakistani-authorities-seek-court-review-of-order-allowing-imran-khan",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-19T11:34:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/world/2026/08/19/pakistani-authorities-seek-court-review-of-order-allowing-imran-khan-hospital-treatment"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pakistani authorities have requested the Supreme Court to review or withdraw an order mandating former Prime Minister Imran Khan undergo a medical examination at a private hospital of his own choosing. The government's legal challenge could ignite anger among Khan's supporters who feel mistreated during his detention. It may also exacerbate tensions with Khan's opposition party and his family, who have been advocating for timely medical care at Khan's preferred facilities and more regular prison visits.\n\nThe petition was filed a day after the court mandated Khan's transfer to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad, where he would be examined by a panel of medical experts that includes his primary physician. The government maintains that Khan will be moved to government hospitals whenever specialized care unavailable in prison is needed. Khan has been transferred to government hospitals on several occasions for treatment of an eye condition.\n\nIn the petition, Islamabad's chief commissioner contended that the court issued the order without prior notice and cited the Pakistani constitution's prohibition on discrimination and favoritism. It argues that permitting a convicted individual to receive treatment at a private hospital — despite the medical report not indicating an urgent condition — could undermine the criminal justice system. Allowing the order to take effect could encourage other inmates to seek similar private medical care, which is prohibited by prison regulations. The petition deems Tuesday's order \"discriminatory\" and warns that if not revoked, it could \"trigger a cascade\" of inmates demanding comparable relief, which cannot be granted under current laws.\n\nTuesday's order followed Khan's previous petition to the court for a transfer from a high-security prison to a hospital and access to his personal physicians, family, and legal counsel. On Wednesday, Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated that the government had no objection to providing Khan with medical care, indicating that he would continue receiving treatment in line with prison rules. However, the government is contesting the portion of the Supreme Court order that requires Khan to be taken to a private hospital. Tarar clarified that there is no ambiguity about Khan receiving medical treatment, emphasizing that health issues should be kept separate from political concerns. Recent concerns about Khan's health surged in late January after his family alleged he had lost approximately 85% of vision in his right eye, a claim disputed by the government. Authorities later reported that Khan had regained roughly 70% of his vision in that eye, and his condition was improving. Khan, a former cricket star who turned politician, was ousted from office in a parliamentary no-confidence vote in April 2022 and has been incarcerated since 2023, following convictions in multiple cases. Khan's supporters have organized frequent rallies across the country demanding his release, some of which have turned violent.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "NDTV",
        "title": "Pakistan Challenges Supreme Court Order To Move Imran Khan To Hospital",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/pakistan-challenges-supreme-court-order-to-move-imran-khan-to-hospital",
        "published": "2026-08-19T11:34:52.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "DW English (Top Stories)",
        "title": "Pakistan: Could ex-PM Imran Khan make a new deal?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/pakistan-could-ex-pm-imran-khan-make-a-new-deal",
        "published": "2026-08-19T11:39:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}