Imran Khan’s lawyers and family have raised concerns over his health during his imprisonment, while PTI welcomed the court order but said medical intervention should have come sooner.
BY PC Bureau
August 18, 2026: Pakistan’s Supreme Court has ordered the authorities to move jailed former prime minister Imran Khan to a private hospital within 48 hours, following mounting concerns over his health, including reported deterioration in vision in his right eye.
The 73-year-old Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder has been directed to remain at Shifa International Hospital until September 16, according to the court order. The decision came after repeated appeals from Khan’s party and family for access to specialised medical treatment based on recent medical reports.
PTI spokesperson Naeem Haider Panjutha confirmed the court’s direction.
PTI welcomes hospital transfer
PTI welcomed the order but said the medical intervention had come after considerable delay.
“It’s a very welcome order, and we wish it had happened sooner so his eye and general health would not have deteriorated this much,” PTI spokesperson Zulfikar Bukhari said.
He added that Khan should remain in hospital until his doctors were satisfied with his condition.
Khan’s family members, including his sons, have repeatedly expressed concern about his health during his imprisonment. His legal team has also alleged that he has suffered substantial loss of vision in his right eye.
The hospital transfer is expected to allow Khan to undergo more comprehensive examinations and treatment than have been available to him in prison.
Khan has been in custody since 2023
The former prime minister has remained behind bars since August 2023 after being convicted in several cases. Khan has denied wrongdoing and has repeatedly described the cases against him as politically motivated.
He was removed as prime minister in April 2022 after losing a parliamentary no-confidence vote. Since then, he has faced a series of criminal proceedings involving allegations ranging from the handling of state gifts to his marriage.
Several of his convictions have subsequently been suspended or overturned, while other cases and appeals remain before the courts.
READ: TISS Reschedules Convocation, Drops CJI Surya Kant as Chief Guest
Imran Khan’s medical reports are alarming. I have gone through them with several specialists, and I am writing this in plain language so every Pakistani can understand exactly what is happening.
In order of priority, this is what worries me most: his anxiety and stress levels,… pic.twitter.com/htRWHo320k
— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) August 17, 2026
PTI continues political fight
Despite Khan’s imprisonment, PTI remains a significant political force in Pakistan, particularly in several key provinces.
The party faced major restrictions during the 2024 general election and was stripped of its traditional electoral symbol. As a result, many PTI-backed candidates contested the election as independents.
Khan’s imprisonment has remained a major political issue for PTI, which has repeatedly demanded his release and challenged the cases against him.
Health concerns add to pressure
Concerns about Khan’s treatment in custody have grown alongside the prolonged legal battle.
His sons have publicly raised concerns about his health, while his lawyers have focused particularly on the deterioration of his eyesight.
In February, several international cricket figures, including some former Indian players, also expressed concern about Khan’s prison conditions and called for better treatment.
The Supreme Court’s latest order now requires authorities to move him to a private medical facility within 48 hours and keep him there until September 16.
The order could provide Khan access to specialist care at a time when his health has become an increasingly prominent issue in the political and legal battle surrounding his imprisonment.
