The Supreme Court of Pakistan issued an order on Tuesday requiring that former Prime Minister Imran Khan be transferred from prison to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad. The decision comes in response to a petition filed by Khan’s legal team, which raised concerns regarding the 73-year-old politician’s deteriorating health. Justice Shahid Waheed presided over the ruling, stipulating that the transfer should occur within the next two days to facilitate necessary medical examinations.

Imran Khan has been incarcerated since 2023 following convictions on various corruption charges. He and his wife, Bushra Bibi, received 17-year prison sentences late last year. While the court order focuses on the immediate medical necessity of the transfer, the legal context remains tied to the ongoing political and judicial challenges facing the former leader. Sources provide varying levels of detail regarding the impetus for the court's decision; while the SCMP notes the specific hospital and the legal petition as the primary drivers, RT emphasizes the role of Khan’s political party, the PTI, in raising these health concerns publicly. Hindustan Times acknowledges the court order but provides less detail on the specific medical conditions or the legal arguments presented by the defense team.