The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday declined a petition seeking the immediate transfer of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital. Instead, the court instructed the Chief Commissioner of Islamabad, Muhammad Ali Randhawa, to establish a new medical board tasked with thoroughly examining the former prime minister’s health status. This decision came during proceedings before a division bench consisting of Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir and Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro.
The newly formed medical panel will include prominent physicians Dr. Arif and Dr. Nadeem Qureshi from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), who will be responsible for conducting a detailed assessment to determine whether Imran Khan requires hospitalization outside the jail premises. The court made it clear that the board’s findings will guide any future decisions regarding his medical care and potential transfer.
Significantly, the court rejected the request to incorporate Imran Khan’s personal doctors into the medical board, emphasizing the need for an independent evaluation. However, the bench ordered that the former prime minister’s family must be kept fully informed about all developments related to his health. Dr. Nadeem Qureshi was specifically assigned the role of maintaining communication with Khan’s relatives to ensure transparency and timely updates.
In addition, the court mandated that lawyers and family members should be granted access to meet Imran Khan in accordance with the established rules governing prisoner visits. This directive aims to balance security concerns with the rights of the former premier to receive support from his loved ones during his ongoing medical treatment.
The petition had been submitted by Sardar Latif Khosa, a senior advocate, who highlighted the deteriorating condition of the 73-year-old PTI leader. The plea underscored that Khan has faced restricted contact with family and friends for the past four to five months, which has raised serious concerns about his wellbeing. It also referenced a report submitted to the Supreme Court indicating that Imran Khan’s vision has declined to approximately 15 percent, underscoring the urgency of specialized medical intervention.
The petitioner urged the court to approve Khan’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital, where he could receive expert treatment for his eye ailment under the supervision of his personal physicians and with uninterrupted access to family members. This request was driven by fears that the current jail environment may not be adequately equipped to address his complex medical needs.
Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhary provided an update on Imran Khan’s ongoing treatment regimen. He revealed that the former prime minister was scheduled to receive his next eye injection on March 24 as part of a series of procedures aimed at managing his condition. The minister also confirmed that Khan was recently moved to PIMS under strict security measures to undergo a second medical procedure related to his eye health.
Chaudhary emphasized that all legal protocols and humanitarian considerations were meticulously observed during the transfer to ensure Khan’s safety and dignity. This statement sought to address concerns raised by various quarters about the adequacy and transparency of the medical care being provided to the former prime minister while in custody.
As the situation continues to unfold, the Islamabad High Court’s directive to form a new medical board reflects the judiciary’s cautious approach in balancing the health rights of a high-profile detainee with security and procedural requirements. The forthcoming medical board’s report will be crucial in shaping the next steps regarding Imran Khan’s treatment and potential hospital transfer.
