ISLAMABAD: Preparations have been finalised at Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad to receive incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan for medical treatment in line with the Supreme Court’s order, Dawn has learnt.
Imran — imprisoned since Aug 5, 2023, for concealing details of Toshakhana gifts — is serving a 14-year sentence at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail in a £190 million corruption case, also known as the Al-Qadir Trust case. However, his health has deteriorated over the course of his prison sentence, prompting outcry from members of the party.
Sources close to the development said all relevant departments and authorities, including the capital administration, police, jail officials and Rangers, were present at the hospital to finalise security and other arrangements.
Security pickets have been set up on roads leading to the facility, while a security audit of the hospital was also conducted earlier in view of the possible transfer of the former premier there.
A police car is parked behind a barricade near Islamabad’s Shifa International Hospital on August 20, 2026. — Photo via Mohammad Asim
The sources further said it had not yet been confirmed when Imran would be brought to the hospital, as a decision was yet to be made. However, arrangements were being made to deal with any situation that might arise.
Teams have also been constituted to bring Imran to the hospital from jail, comprising staff from the capital police and administration.
The sources added that the capital police were responsible for transferring the PTI founder from jail for a medical check-up and examination, after which they would take him back to prison.
In case of his admission to the hospital for treatment, the chief commissioner would declare the relevant room, ward or floor of the hospital a sub-jail and issue a notification. Staff from Adiala jail would be deployed at the hospital.
Meanwhile, capital police and Rangers personnel would also be present there to provide security and maintain law and order.
Maintain your distance: PTI’s Akram
In a post on X, PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram wrote, “Imran Khan sahab will, Insha’Allah, be transferred to the hospital today.”
“We are fully aware of the sentiments of Imran Khan’s supporters, who are eager to catch a glimpse of their leader.”
However, he requested that people maintain their distance from the hospital and help ensure the party founder’s health and treatment.
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court directed the government to shift the jailed ex-premier to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad within the next two days.
Headed by Justice Shahid Waheed, a three-member Supreme Court bench, also comprising Justices Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Ishtiaq Ibrahim, issued the ruling on several petitions seeking Imran’s hospitalisation as well as meetings with his family members in a packed courtroom No 3.
“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,” said the order authored by Justice Waheed.
“A prisoner does not, by reason of his incarceration, cease to be entitled to humane treatment and necessary medical care,” the order said, adding that, as an interim arrangement and without prejudice to the rights and contentions of the parties, the court was inclined to issue the directions, which would be complied with by the respondents, including the government, its officers and agencies, in letter and spirit until the next date of hearing.
The court proceedings were also attended by the PTI founder’s sisters, namely Aleema Khan, Noreen Niazi and Dr Uzma Khan, as well as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, among others.
Also on Tuesday, Noreen was granted a meeting with Imran Khan for the first time this year, being sent by the police to Gate no. 5 upon her arrival.
Jail sources said that the two met in the jail’s conference room, where they discussed his health and other issues. Noreen also informed the ex-premier about the SC’s earlier order to have him taken to Shifa International Hospital for a medical checkup, they added.
Upon exiting the jail, Noreen refused to speak to the media: when questioned, she signalled her silence with a finger to her lips. The three sisters left the jail upon the conclusion of the meeting.
PTI lawyer Advocate Awais Younas Chaudhry had told Dawn that she would not speak to the press.
The last confirmed meeting of the PTI founder was with Dr Uzma on Dec 2, 2025. After this meeting, Uzma had said that while Imran’s health was fine, he was suffering from “mental torture” and was kept in isolation.
The ex-premier had also previously met with Noreen on Nov 4 last year.
On Wednesday, the government filed a petition in the SC, seeking a review and recall of its order to move Imran to the hospital for treatment.
The government’s review petition, filed by Islamabad Advocate General Naveed Hayat Malik on behalf of the federal capital’s chief commissioner a day after the SC’s ruling, termed the interim order “discriminatory”.
The petition stated that the order was “in excess of jurisdiction” and, therefore, “liable to be reviewed”.
The government and the opposition have been engaged in a blame game, with the latter accusing the former of a lack of transparency in not ensuring appropriate treatment for Imran, and not allowing his personal physicians access to him. The government denies these allegations.
The PTI founder’s eye ailment — right central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) — came to light in late January and received government-provided treatment.
His party and family members have repeatedly voiced serious concerns about his declining health and demanded his immediate transfer to the hospital for treatment.
