Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has been taken to a hospital in the capital, Islamabad, following complaints about his poor health.<\/p>\n
Khan was taken from Adiala jail and sent to Shifa International Hospital under heavy security, according to his party. There is yet to be official confirmation he has been transferred.<\/p>\n
The move complied with a ruling by a three-judge panel of the Supreme Court which had ordered that the cricketer-turned-politician be taken to the hospital within 48 hours to be examined by physicians.<\/p>\n
This is the most significant relief Khan has received from the courts since he was imprisoned in 2023<\/a> on corruption charges, which he says were politically motivated.<\/p>\n As well as being transferred to hospital, this court order also specified Khan should be allowed to see his family, which he has not been able to do in months. On Tuesday night, his sister visited him in prison.<\/p>\n Khan’s political party, Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), is normally quick to claim court decisions that go against him are politically motivated. It has not publicly been drawn on speculation that the Supreme Court’s decision indicates political manoeuvring behind the scenes.<\/p>\n The area around Shifa International Hospital has been sealed off by police with barriers, officers and police vans in place. Outside the hospital the BBC saw cars being moved with a truck to clear the street while police cars and armoured vehicles patrolled.<\/p>\n The Supreme Court told Khan’s party not to conduct press conferences outside the hospital. This is a warning not to politicise his hospital stay.<\/p>\n The 73-year-old’s lawyers have said he’s suffering from various health conditions, including poor eyesight, and has been unable to access specialist medical care.<\/p>\n