ISLAMABAD, Aug 18 (dpa) -- Pakistan’s top court on Tuesday ordered authorities to shift jailed former prime minister Imran Khan to a hospital after medical reports raised concerns over his deteriorating health.
The order issued by the three-judge bench of the Supreme Court was welcomed by his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party which has long been demanding Khan to be hospitalised.
The 73-year-old former leader has been in jail since 2023 after his conviction on multiple graft charges including one of stealing expensive gifts he had received from other countries during his rule between 2018 and 2022.
“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,” Sayed Zulfikar Bukhari, a Khan close aide said in a statement.
“He should remain in hospital until all doctors are satisfied,” Bukhari said.
The court asked authorities to shift Khan to Shifa International Hospital in the capital within 48 hours, form a medical board and provide access to his personal physician and his sister.
Last week, a team of doctors examined him at Rawalpnidi’s Adiala jail and recorded high blood pressure, palpitations and anxiety. They recommended access to newspapers, magazines, books and television and more frequent interaction with his immediate family and spouse.
The government has restricted Khan's meetings with his family members and lawyers during the last six months.
The cricketer-turned-politician, remains popular in Pakistan despite his party failing to win elections in 2024.
NNN-Xinhua