Pakistan’s Supreme Court has ordered that former Prime Minister Imran Khan be shifted from prison to Islamabad’s Shifa International Hospital for a comprehensive medical examination, despite recent claims by jail authorities that his eyesight has significantly improved. The directive was issued by a three-member bench headed by Justice Shahid Waheed while hearing multiple petitions seeking better medical treatment for the jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder. The court said the decision was necessary to safeguard Khan’s fundamental rights and ensure his health and safety while in custody.

The petitions argued that Imran Khan’s supporters were not satisfied with the treatment he had been receiving at government hospitals following his diagnosis of right central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), an eye condition that emerged earlier this year. Khan, who has been imprisoned since August 2023, has undergone treatment several times at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) under specialist ophthalmologists. Jail authorities maintained that the treatment had been effective and claimed that his vision had returned to almost normal after continuous medical care.

Despite the prison administration’s assessment, the Supreme Court directed that Khan be transferred to the private hospital within the next few days for an independent evaluation. The court’s order underscores the judiciary’s emphasis on ensuring adequate healthcare for prisoners, particularly in high-profile cases. The decision is expected to keep attention focused on Khan’s legal and medical situation as he continues to face multiple cases while remaining behind bars.