In the early hours of Friday, August 21, 2026, Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan, aged 73, was transferred to the Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad under a Supreme Court order. The move came after weeks of mounting protests and growing concern over his deteriorating health. However, within hours, he was returned to Adiala Prison in Rawalpindi after authorities declared him 'medically fit' to remain in custody.
Court-Ordered Medical Evaluation
The Supreme Court's directive, issued on Tuesday, August 18, gave the government 48 hours to arrange the transfer. In their ruling, the judges emphasized the constitutional obligation to 'safeguard the life, health, dignity and security of the prisoner.' A medical panel, including Khan's personal physician, was authorized to evaluate his condition.
Khan's legal team has long argued that his health is deteriorating significantly in detention. They claim he has lost a substantial portion of vision in his right eye and suffers from other untreated conditions. The government, however, maintains that medical reports do not indicate any condition requiring immediate hospitalization.
High-Security Operation and Party Warnings
The transfer was conducted under an extensive security operation, with hundreds of security personnel deployed around the hospital. Khan's political party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), urged supporters not to gather outside the facility to avoid disrupting his treatment. Asad Qaiser, a close aide and former Speaker of the National Assembly, warned on social media platform X that anyone violating this directive 'would have no affiliation with the party.'
Pakistan's Information Minister confirmed Khan's return to prison, stating that a 'team of qualified doctors declared him medically fit.'
A Concerning Health History
For months, Khan's family and party have demanded specialized medical care. In February 2026, PTI officials reported that Khan was suffering from severe eye damage, with only 15% vision remaining, and was being held in solitary confinement without adequate care or access to family and lawyers. The family ultimately petitioned the Supreme Court, which led to this week's order.
Adiala Prison has become a focal point for ongoing protests, with family members and supporters demanding better medical treatment and permission for Khan to meet his sisters.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Event: Court-ordered hospital transfer
- Date: August 21, 2026
- Facility: Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad
- Duration: A few hours
- Return: Adiala Prison, Rawalpindi
Political and Judicial Background
Imran Khan was arrested in 2023 and sentenced to three years in prison on corruption charges, along with a five-year ban from politics. In 2025, he received an additional 14-year sentence in a corruption case involving the acquisition of valuable land through an alleged corrupt agreement with a real estate tycoon. Khan and his party deny all accusations, calling them politically motivated.
Khan, a former cricket captain who led Pakistan to victory in the 1992 World Cup, served as Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022, until he was removed through a no-confidence vote. Since then, he has claimed that the military establishment is orchestrating a campaign of persecution against him—allegations that authorities categorically reject.
International Attention and Future Steps
The case continues to draw international attention. Human rights organizations and foreign governments have expressed concerns about Khan's detention conditions and health. The Supreme Court could intervene again if evidence shows the hospital visit was insufficient to address his medical needs.
For now, Khan remains in prison, but his case has thrust Pakistan's judicial and political systems into the international spotlight, highlighting the ongoing tensions between civilian leadership, the judiciary, and the military.