Baasma Wafa | August 19, 2026
The True Post (Web News) Pakistan’s government has challenged a Supreme Court order directing the transfer of former Prime Minister Imran Khan from prison to a private hospital in Islamabad, escalating an ongoing dispute over his medical treatment while in custody.
The government filed a review petition on Wednesday, a day after the Supreme Court ordered that Khan be moved to Shifa International Hospital within two days for medical examination and treatment.
The court had also directed that Khan be given access to his personal physician and ordered the formation of a medical panel that would include specialists such as a cardiologist and an eye specialist.
Government Questions Private Hospital Transfer
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar has criticized the Supreme Court’s decision, arguing that the order does not fall within the existing legal framework.
The government has maintained that prisoners should generally receive medical treatment through government facilities unless there is a clear medical need for treatment elsewhere. In its petition, the authorities argued that allowing prisoners to seek treatment at private hospitals could create a precedent for similar requests in the future.
The government has also questioned whether the medical information presented to the court established a condition requiring Khan’s immediate transfer to a private hospital.
Khan’s Family Raises Health Concerns
Khan’s family and lawyers have repeatedly raised concerns about his health during his imprisonment.
His lawyers have said that he experienced significant vision problems in his right eye while in prison. His sons, who live in London, have also expressed concerns about his health and access to medical care.
The Supreme Court’s order came after a petition seeking improved medical treatment and greater family access for the former prime minister.
Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023 after being convicted in several cases. He has denied wrongdoing and has maintained that the legal cases against him are politically motivated.
PTI Calls for Immediate Implementation
Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision and called for the order to be implemented without delay.
The party has repeatedly demanded better medical facilities and greater access to Khan while he remains imprisoned.
The latest government challenge could now determine whether the Supreme Court’s order to move Khan to Shifa International Hospital will proceed as directed or face further legal review.
The dispute comes at a politically sensitive time in Pakistan, where Khan remains a major political figure despite his imprisonment. The outcome of the court challenge is likely to keep attention focused on both his health and the broader legal battle surrounding his continued detention.
