Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan was taken to hospital for a medical examination early Friday, declared medically fit and returned to prison within hours, in a move that his supporters and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party have alleged violated a recent Supreme Court directive.
The PTI said it would file a contempt petition, accusing authorities of openly disregarding the court’s order. According to the party’s interpretation, the directive required Khan to remain under medical supervision until at least mid-September.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Khan’s sister, Uzma Khan, who was present during his medical examination, told reporters that the former premier had complained of being repeatedly tortured in prison. There was no immediate response from Pakistan’s interior or law ministries or from jail authorities to requests for comment on the allegations.
The developments could further intensify tensions between Khan’s supporters and the authorities. Khan, a highly popular former cricketer-turned-politician, has been imprisoned since August 2023, and the decision to return him to jail so soon after his hospital visit could trigger renewed anger among his supporters.
Khan was examined at the state-run Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) hospital instead of Shifa International Hospital, which was reportedly mentioned in the Supreme Court’s order. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the change was necessary because of a security situation allegedly created by PTI workers along the planned route.
The PTI, however, argued that both the change of hospital and the denial of access to Khan’s personal physician constituted violations of the Supreme Court’s directive.
“This is contempt of the judges. This is contempt of the Supreme Court,” Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, whose province is governed by the PTI, told reporters several hours after Khan was returned to prison.
Uzma Khan said her brother appeared stable and medically fit when she saw him, although he had a patch covering one eye. She also reiterated his allegations of mistreatment while in custody.
The episode unfolded amid heightened public attention in Islamabad. Khan’s supporters gathered along roads in the capital overnight, reportedly throwing flowers at a prison vehicle believed to be transporting him to hospital.
The scenes were notable because Pakistani television channels aired the developments live, marking a departure from the limited coverage Khan had received in recent years. Broadcasters had often avoided even mentioning the ousted prime minister’s name until the latest developments.
The dispute now centres on whether authorities complied with the Supreme Court’s instructions concerning Khan’s medical care. The PTI’s proposed contempt proceedings could bring the issue back before the judiciary and potentially deepen the political confrontation surrounding Khan’s imprisonment.
For now, Khan remains in jail, while his party and supporters continue to challenge the circumstances surrounding his treatment and medical supervision.
