PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan has returned to Adiala Jail after undergoing an overnight medical examination at Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Friday.
Khan was transferred to the hospital during the night between August 20 and 21 under heightened security arrangements, fulfilling a Supreme Court order directing authorities to take him to Shifa for medical examination and treatment.
According to Tarar, a team of doctors including an ophthalmologist, cardiologist and physician conducted a detailed examination and declared Khan medically fit. His sister, Dr Uzma Khan, remained present during the examination and treatment process. The assessment described by Tarar represents the government’s account of Khan’s medical status; the Supreme Court has ordered that his medical reports remain confidential.
After the examination was completed, Khan was transferred back to Adiala Jail at approximately 5am on August 21.
Security around Shifa International Hospital had been significantly tightened ahead of his arrival. Police surrounded the hospital and temporarily restricted several nearby roads, while senior Islamabad police officials monitored arrangements outside the facility.
PTI had asked supporters not to gather outside the hospital, following the Supreme Court’s explicit direction that political activity, media talks and press conferences should not take place there and that other patients should not be disrupted.
The transfer followed several days of legal and political tension surrounding Khan’s medical treatment. On August 18, the Supreme Court directed that he be moved to Shifa International Hospital after considering reports submitted by a medical board and the Adiala Jail superintendent. Those reports had raised concerns including Khan’s blood pressure and anxiety and recommended more frequent contact with his immediate family and spouse.
The court also ordered that Khan’s personal physician, Dr Faisal Sultan, be granted access and included in the medical process alongside specialists. Dr Uzma was also permitted to participate. Khan’s family was directed to cover the cost of treatment.
Family access formed another significant part of the ruling, with the Supreme Court directing authorities to facilitate regular family meetings and telephone contact with Khan’s children.
The federal government subsequently challenged aspects of the order, describing the direction to transfer a convicted prisoner to a private hospital as discriminatory. Its review petition was returned by the Supreme Court registrar’s office because of objections concerning incomplete paper books, although the government can address those objections and refile it.
Khan’s eventual transfer also came after criticism from his lawyers and PTI over what they described as delays in implementing the court order. His lawyer had warned that contempt proceedings could be pursued if the directions were not implemented.
With Khan now back at Adiala Jail, attention will shift to compliance with the remaining Supreme Court directions concerning his medical care and family access.
The case is also expected to remain politically sensitive. While Tarar says doctors declared Khan medically fit following the overnight examination, the court has specifically restricted the publication and political use of Khan’s medical reports. Any further claims about his condition should therefore be treated cautiously unless officially disclosed within those legal restrictions.
