Why is Imran Khan’s prison treatment causing a political storm in Pakistan? WION Decodes
&imwidth=600&imheight=450&format=webp&quality=medium "Why is Imran Khan’s prison treatment causing a political storm in Pakistan? WION Decodes")
File photo: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party supporters protest to demand release of their jailed leader and Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan, in Islamabad on December 2, 2025.
Imran Khan’s prison treatment has sparked a political storm after authorities took him to a government hospital despite a Supreme Court order for private hospital treatment. Here’s all you need to know about the controversy.
Pakistan’s jailed former prime minister Imran Khan is at the centre of a major controversy between his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and the government. As the confrontation between the two sides continues over Khan’s health concerns and treatment in prison, the issue has grabbed international attention, becoming a humanitarian concern. The recent tensions flared after Khan was taken to the state-run Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad for a brief medical examination instead of being transferred to the private Shifa International Hospital, despite a court order. His party members and the Pakistani government have accused each other of violating the court order. Here’s all you need to know about the controversy.
Imran Khan health concerns
Amid claims of his deteriorating health in jail, the 73-year-old’s lawyers told the Supreme Court in February that Khan has lost 85 per cent of the vision in his right eye. He alleged that despite him complaining about his eye problem since October 2025, the jail authorities took no action. However, the Pakistan government has disputed the severity of his condition. Khan’s family and lawyers have also sought access to his personal physician, Dr Faisal Sultan, and sought his involvement in treatment.
What did Supreme Court order say?
In a major turning point, the Supreme Court delivered an order on August 18, directing the government to move Khan from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad within 48 hours.
“We are mindful of the constitutional and legal obligation of the state, and consequently of the Supreme Court, to safeguard the life, health, dignity and security of persons in custody,” the court ordered. “A prisoner does not, by reason of his incarceration, cease to be entitled to humane treatment and necessary medical care.”
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Under the court order, Khan was to be provided a multidisciplinary medical assessment involving an ophthalmologist, cardiologist and physician. His personal doctor was also to be involved. The court also ordered regular family meetings and telephone contact with his sons.
However, the government challenged the ruling, questioning the move to a private hospital, arguing that an inmate should receive ordinary treatment at government facilities.
What happened during the transfer?
On Saturday (Aug 22), Khan was taken out of jail to the state-run Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad for a brief medical examination instead of being transferred to the private Shifa International Hospital, as directed by the top court. Moreover, rather than being admitted to the hospital for treatment, Khan was taken back to the prison after the medical tests within a few hours, prompting PTI to express outrage.
According to a Dawn report, tight security measures were undertaken outside the Shifa International Hospital during Khan’s move. Pitras Bukhari Road and Service Road South had been cordoned off while hundreds of law enforcement personnel were also deployed in and around the hospital premises.
PTI alleges violation of court order
PTI moved the Supreme Court against the government, alleging that authorities violated its order on the medical transfer of jailed party founder Imran Khan. PTI legal adviser Naeem Panjutha said the petition seeks action against senior government officials, including the prime minister, law minister and information minister.
“The petition seeks action against the prime minister, law minister, information minister” and other government officials, Panjutha said, adding that the party has also sought Khan’s treatment at the private hospital specified by the court.
Sister claims ‘torture in prison’
Khan’s sister Uzma Khan, who was present during his examination at PIMS, told reporters that her brother appeared physically fit but claimed he had told her that he was “being repeatedly tortured in prison”.
“He repeatedly told me, ‘I have been subjected to injustice. I am being severely tortured.’ He mentioned that another doctor had visited and stated that his health was deteriorating due to a lack of human contact. He said he has had no reading material or TV for ten months,” Uzma said.
Updating on his health condition, she added, “He showed me that only a small trace of haemorrhage remained in his eyes, which would clear up after the injection. However, the doctor mentioned that follow-up injections would also be required as a preventive measure. His vision had improved, though not to 100 per cent.”
Government blames PTI
The Pakistani government on Saturday (Aug 22) blamed PTI for the transfer to the state-run facility instead of the private one ordered by the Supreme Court, citing heavy presence of party members outside the Shifa International Hospital.
“Contempt has definitely happened,” Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said. “Wasn't it PTI who did it? Didn't they violate the court order?”
Speaking at a press conference, he said, “If somebody is in contempt, it is Imran Khan’s sister and his party... The prisoner’s family was in contempt. His party was in contempt by gathering people and creating issues for the authorities.”
He insisted that the government fulfilled the court order by taking Khan to a medical checkup in the presence of his sister and doctors from the Shifa hospital.
Zac Goldsmith writes to UK Foreign Secretary
The controversy has also reached Britain. In a letter dated August 21, Conservative peer Zac Goldsmith, Khan’s former brother-in-law, urged UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband to intervene with the Pakistan government over treatment of Khan.
“Without a meaningful intervention, the Pakistani govt will undoubtedly kill off Imran Khan simply because they know that for as long as he lives, he is a threat to their power and corruption,” he alleged.
Goldsmith previously raised Khan’s imprisonment in the UK Parliament and urged greater diplomatic pressure on Islamabad. UK ministers have said Pakistan must respect fundamental freedoms, humane detention and access to appropriate medical treatment.
Why was Khan imprisoned?
The 73-year-old has been serving a 14-year prison sentence since August 2023 after he was charged with corruption and other crimes. Khan, who was found guilty of concealing details of Toshakhana gifts, has insisted that the charges were politically motivated. He was also found guilty in a $259 million corruption case, also known as the Al-Qadir Trust case. However, while being held at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail, reports have emerged about his health concerns, with his party members, family and supporters expressing outrage.
Khan served as the prime minister from 2018 to 2022. He was ousted in a no-confidence vote when the country was facing a political crisis fuelled by tensions between his government and the military establishment. He was arrested in May 2023, triggering nationwide protests.
