NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan was shifted back to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi early Friday, hours after he was taken for a medical examination amid a legal battle over his health and demands from his family and supporters for better medical care.
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Khan, 73, was taken to the state-run Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad, Pakistan's information minister Attaullah Tarar said, news agaency PTI reports. The government later said Khan was medically fit and returned him to jail at around 5 am.
The development came days after the Supreme Court ordered authorities to move Khan to Al-Shifa hospital following a medical report that said he was suffering from “level three plus” anxiety.
Family alleges violation of court order
Khan's family has repeatedly raised concerns about his access to adequate medical treatment while in custody. His sister, Uzma Khan, was present during the medical examination at PIMS, according to AP. They have accused authorities of violating a court order by taking him to a government hospital for a medical examination instead of a private hospital designated by the court.
She alleged that during their meeting, Khan complained of being kept in solitary confinement, which she described as “mental torture” for the former prime minister.
Khan’s personal physician, Faisal Sultan, said he had been taken to Shifa International Hospital, where he waited for Khan until early Friday. He was later informed that Khan had instead been returned to Adiala prison in Rawalpindi.
Tarar said authorities changed the plan because of security concerns after supporters of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) gathered outside Shifa International Hospital or were heading there.
Khan has been in custody since his arrest on August 5, 2023, in a corruption case.
