• Multidisciplinary medical board to examine, treat PTI founder at Shifa hospital
• Court notes medical exam indicates Imran’s health has deteriorated; govt directed to submit complete medical record
• Family meetings allowed once a week, calls with sons twice weekly
• Noreen Niazi meets brother in jail after SC intervention

ISLAMABAD: The Su­p­­­r­eme Court on Tue­sday ordered the government to shift incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan to Shifa Inte­rn­ati­onal Hospital within two days for examination and treatment by a multidisciplinary medical board.

The court also allowed his personal physician and sister to remain associated with his medical care and directed authorities to facilitate regular family contact.

A three-member bench headed by Justice Shahid Waheed and comprising Justices Naeem Akhtar Afg­­han and Ishtiaq Ibr­ahim issued the interim directions on petitions see­king Mr Khan’s hospitalisation, access to personal physicians and family me­m­bers and provision of his medical record to his family.

The proceedings in a packed Courtroom No. 3 were attended by Mr Kh­­an’s sisters Aleema Khan, Noreen Niazi and Dr Uzma Khan, besides Kh­­yber Pa­k­htunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and other PTI leaders.

The PTI and Mr Khan’s family had approached the Supreme Court seeking the former premier’s transfer to Shifa Inter­national Hospital, access to personal physicians, family and counsel and disclosure of his medical details.

In its seven-page order, the court directed the authorities, in consultation with Shifa Intern­ational Hospital, to constitute a medical board comprising a physician, general surgeon, specialist in internal medicine, ophthalmologist and cardiologist.

Mr Khan’s personal physician, Dr Faisal Sultan, and his sister Dr Uzma would be permitted to remain associated with his medical examination and treatment.

“We are mindful of the constitutional and legal obligation of the State, and consequently of the Supreme Court, to safeguard the life, health, dignity and security of persons in custody,” Justice Waheed observed in the order.

“A prisoner does not, by reason of his incarceration, cease to be entitled to humane treatment and necessary medical care,” the order said.

The court said the directions were being issued as an interim arrangement, without prejudice to the rights and contentions of the parties, and must be complied with by the government, its officers and agencies “in letter and spirit” until the next hearing.

Additional Attorney General Chaudhry Aamer Rehman raised objections to the maintainability of the petition, arguing that they were incompetent and did not entitle the petitioner to relief. The court said the maintainability question and other objections would be considered at the next hearing.

The bench directed the government to place before it Mr Khan’s complete medical record from the date of his arrest, including tests, reports, prescriptions, medical opinions and details of treatment administered to him.

The authorities were also asked to provide details of meetings held during the preceding three months between Mr Khan and his family members and lawyers, as well as complete details of cases in which he was accused, arrested, facing trial or had been convicted and sentenced.

The expenses relating to treatment and facilities at Shifa International Hospital will be borne by Mr Khan or his family.

The court directed authorities to facilitate meetings between Mr Khan and his family once a week and allow him to speak to his sons by telephone twice a week.

Until the next hearing, Mr Khan’s family members, PTI members and lawyers associated with him have been barred from disclosing his health condition or medical reports to the media or public.

The court also directed the PTI and Mr Khan’s family to ensure that no public gathering takes place on the hospital premises and ordered that his medical reports or information concerning his health should not be used for political purposes.

It warned that non-compliance could lead to withdrawal of facilities granted under the order. Both the government and Mr Khan’s family would be free to approach the court in case of grievances regarding implementation.

The government was also directed to make adequate security arrangements during Mr Khan’s stay at the hospital.

The complete reports of his examination and treatment at Shifa International Hospital will be placed before the Supreme Court at the next hearing on Sept 16.

The court said the synopsis of Mr Khan’s medical examination and health condition prima facie indicated deterioration, warranting an interim arrangement for his examination and treatment.

Referring to an Oct 24, 2025, order of the Islamabad High Court concerning contempt proceedings against jail authorities, the Supreme Court observed that the high court had not recorded reasons for dropping the proceedings.

It said judicial orders were required to disclose the reasons forming the basis of a decision and, prima facie, the impugned order did not appear to conform with settled principles of law.

The Supreme Court also issued notices to all the respondents and directed them to submit written explanations and appear before the court at the next hearing.

Sister meets Imran

Following the Supreme Court’s intervention, Mr Khan’s sister Noreen Niazi was allowed to meet him at Adiala Jail, ending a prolonged period during which his family had complained of being denied regular access despite earlier court directions.

Mr Khan’s sister Dr Uzma had last been allowed to meet him as a family member on Dec 2 last year.

PTI focal person Advocate Awais Younas Chaudhry, who was outside Adiala Jail, told Dawn that the meeting would give the family first-hand information about Mr Khan’s condition. He said Ms Niazi would not speak to the media after the meeting in view of assurances given to the Supreme Court.

Mr Chaudhry expressed hope that Mr Khan would soon be shifted to Shifa International Hospital and said the party would ensure that no gathering was held outside the hospital.

“If anyone reaches there, PTI will dissociate itself from him or her,” he said, adding that Mr Khan’s health was the party’s first priority.

Ms Niazi spent around 45 minutes inside Adiala Jail and, after emerging, only confirmed that the meeting had taken place without answering questions. The PTI has also submitted a list of lawyers seeking permission to meet Mr Khan.

Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2026