Kumar Bahukhandi
Former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan was returned to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on Friday after undergoing a court-ordered medical examination at Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad. (Photo: AFP)
Pakistan government says doctors found former prime minister medically fit; PTI and family have pressed for continued hospital treatment
In Short
- Imran Khan taken to Shifa International Hospital under tight security
- Medical examination followed an order of Pakistan’s Supreme Court
- Government says doctors declared the 73-year-old medically fit
- Khan returned to Adiala Jail within hours of hospital examination
- Concerns have centred particularly on reported deterioration in his eyesight
- Supreme Court allowed involvement of Khan’s personal physician in his medical care
- PTI and Khan’s family have sought continued hospital treatment
Islamabad: Former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan was returned to Adiala Jail early on Friday August 21 , 2026 after undergoing court-ordered medical examinations at a private hospital in Islamabad, with the government saying doctors had declared the 73-year-old medically fit.
Khan was taken under tight security from Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad during the night of August 20-21, complying with an order issued earlier this week by Pakistan’s Supreme Court.
Pakistan Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said a team of qualified doctors examined Khan before concluding that he was medically fit. Following completion of the medical process, the former premier was transferred back to Adiala Jail.
The brief hospital stay, however, is unlikely to end the dispute surrounding Khan’s health and medical treatment in custody.
His Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and family have sought greater access to independent doctors and have argued that Khan should be permitted to remain in hospital for appropriate treatment. His lawyers have raised particular concerns about deterioration in his eyesight, including substantial loss of vision in his right eye.
Supreme Court Intervention Puts Khan’s Health Under Scrutiny
Pakistan’s Supreme Court had directed authorities on Tuesday to transfer Khan to Shifa International Hospital within two days for examination and treatment by a multidisciplinary medical board.
The court also allowed his personal physician to be associated with his medical care and directed authorities to facilitate regular contact with his family. The government subsequently sought a review of the order, arguing that directing treatment of a prisoner at a private hospital raised questions of equal treatment under Pakistan’s prison rules.
The Supreme Court registrar’s office returned that review petition on Thursday because of incomplete documentation, although the government may file it again after addressing the objections.
Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023 and remains entangled in numerous criminal cases and appeals. He and PTI maintain that the prosecutions against him are politically motivated, an allegation rejected by the Pakistani government.
The former cricket star served as Pakistan’s prime minister from 2018 until April 2022, when he was removed through a parliamentary no-confidence vote.
His health has now become another flashpoint in Pakistan’s prolonged political confrontation, with the government maintaining that appropriate medical care is being provided while Khan’s family and supporters continue to demand greater independent access and treatment.
