Pakistan’s Supreme Court has issued an order for the transfer of former Prime Minister Imran Khan to a hospital in Islamabad, following complaints about his deteriorating health.

Source: ichef.bbci.co.uk

A three-judge panel has instructed that Khan be taken to Shifa International Hospital within the next 48 hours for a medical examination by physicians.

Source: ichef.bbci.co.uk

The court has also allowed Khan to meet with his family members on a weekly basis and to make telephone calls to his sons.

Source: ichef.bbci.co.uk

Imran Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023 on corruption charges, which he claims are politically motivated.

The 73-year-old’s lawyers have stated that he is suffering from various health conditions, including poor eyesight, and has been unable to access specialist medical care.

Earlier this year, Khan’s lawyer alleged that his client had only 15% vision left in his right eye due to the failure of prison authorities to provide adequate medical attention.

The government disputed this claim, but the court has now taken steps to ensure that Khan receives the necessary medical care.

An eye specialist will be involved in Khan’s hospital treatment, as per the court order.

The judges and members of Khan’s political party, Tehreek-e-Insaf, have warned supporters not to gather outside the hospital when he is transferred there, as this would be a breach of the court order.

Imran Khan previously served as the country’s Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022 and captained the Pakistan national cricket team.

He has faced charges in over 100 cases, ranging from leaking state secrets to selling state gifts, all of which he has denied as politically motivated.

Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were both sentenced to 17 years in prison late last year.

His jailing triggered large-scale protests by supporters, which were met with a crackdown by authorities.

Despite his imprisonment, Khan remains a significant presence in Pakistani politics, with a large number of supporters.