Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Friday that PTI founder Imran Khan was medically fit after undergoing a detailed medical examination at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) in Islamabad. The former prime minister was taken to the government-run hospital during the night between August 20 and 21 and was shifted back to Adiala jail at around 5am on Friday.
Tarar said a team of qualified doctors, including an ophthalmologist, cardiologist and physician, examined Imran. He added that Imran’s sister Dr Uzma Khan was present during the medical examination.
The minister initially did not identify the hospital where Imran had been taken. He later clarified that the examination took place at Pims, while doctors from Shifa International Hospital were also present.
The development followed a Supreme Court order directing the government to move Imran to Shifa International Hospital for a medical check-up. The court had issued the direction earlier this week while hearing petitions concerning the PTI founder’s health and access to medical treatment and family members.
Tarar said the government took the decision to use Pims because of the security situation surrounding Shifa Hospital. He claimed PTI workers had gathered along the route and outside the private hospital, creating security concerns.
“In light of the security situation created by PTI workers on the way to and outside Al Shifa Hospital, he was taken to Pims,” Tarar said in a subsequent post on X.
He maintained that Imran was found healthy after the medical examination and assured that the former premier would continue to receive medical treatment whenever required.
Tight Security Around Shifa Hospital
Authorities had made extensive security arrangements around Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad on Thursday night in anticipation of Imran’s arrival.
Around 800 personnel from different law enforcement agencies were deployed around the hospital following a security assessment. Roads leading towards the hospital were barricaded, while security pickets were established at several locations.
Islamabad Police Chief Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi also visited the hospital twice to review security preparations.
According to a security order issued by Islamabad Police, personnel were assigned to protect lives and property, prevent possible terrorist activity, maintain public order and ensure smooth traffic movement.
The security measures caused significant activity around the hospital, with police vehicles and barricades visible in the area.
The PTI had earlier appealed to supporters not to gather around the hospital during Imran’s medical visit. PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram asked supporters to maintain distance and allow the former premier to receive medical care without disruption.
Supreme Court Had Ordered Transfer To Shifa
The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the government to shift Imran from Adiala jail to Shifa International Hospital within two days for a medical examination.
A three-member bench headed by Justice Shahid Waheed, with Justices Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Ishtiaq Ibrahim, issued the order while hearing petitions seeking Imran’s hospitalisation and greater access for his family.
The court stressed that imprisonment does not remove a prisoner’s right to humane treatment and necessary medical care. It said the state had a constitutional and legal responsibility to protect the life, health, dignity and security of people in custody.
The government subsequently challenged the order by filing a review petition. However, the Supreme Court registrar’s office returned the petition on Thursday, citing incomplete paper books.
Concerns Over Imran Khan’s Health
The Supreme Court’s intervention followed a report submitted by the superintendent of Adiala jail regarding Imran’s health.
The report said medical officers examine him three times a day and monitor his meals, blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturation.
However, a medical assessment by Pims physician Dr Akhtar Ali Bandeshah on August 1 recorded complaints including fluctuating blood pressure, palpitations, headaches and restlessness.
The doctor recommended measures to reduce mental stress and suggested more frequent meetings with family members. He also recommended a CT coronary angiography and an adjustment in blood pressure medication.
A Pims medical board later examined Imran on August 10 after he complained of heaviness in his head and palpitations. The board recommended daily walking and relaxation as part of his prison routine. It also advised access to newspapers, books, magazines and television.
The board further recommended more frequent interaction with his immediate family or spouse, saying such interaction could help manage anxiety and blood pressure.
The jail report also mentioned Imran’s treatment for an eye condition at Pims. According to the report, his vision had almost returned to normal following treatment by senior ophthalmologists.
Imran has remained imprisoned since August 2023 and is currently serving a 14-year sentence in the £190 million Al-Qadir Trust corruption case. His health has repeatedly become a point of political dispute, with the PTI accusing the government of restricting access to appropriate medical treatment and personal doctors.
The government has rejected those allegations and maintained that Imran is receiving necessary healthcare in custody.