Imran Khan Shifted Back To Jail After Hospital Visit

Islamabad – (Staff Reporter/Web Desk) – Imran Khan Shifa Hospital checkup has concluded, with doctors saying he can safely stay in custody. The PTI founder was taken back to Adiala jail soon after the examination.

He was moved to Islamabad from Adiala jail’s Gate No 1 under tight security. Police officers escorted him throughout the trip to the hospital.

A team of six specialist doctors carried out the medical review. After going through his reports, they concluded that jail conditions would not put his health at risk.

Once the checkup wrapped up, jail staff confirmed that Khan had been shifted back to his usual cell.

Before his arrival, Islamabad’s police chief, Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, visited the hospital himself. He went over the security plan with senior officers ahead of time.

A large number of police personnel were stationed outside the building throughout the process. Hospital staff had also arranged a special area in case Khan needed to be admitted.

This whole episode traces back to a Supreme Court order. Judges had asked jail authorities to move Khan to a proper hospital within two days for treatment.

Soon after that order, the federal government pushed back. Officials filed a review petition, arguing the court had gone beyond its powers.

But the Supreme Court registrar’s office sent that petition back on Thursday morning. Some technical objections were raised, and the plea wasn’t accepted right away.

Separately, a federal minister brought up another idea. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry suggested that Khan could possibly be sent overseas for treatment instead.

Khan, who is 73 years old, has been behind bars since August 2023. He and his party say the cases against him are politically driven rather than genuine.

His legal troubles started building up after he lost power in April 2022. A no-confidence vote removed him from the prime minister’s post that year.

PTI’s Secretary-General, Salman Akram Raja, addressed talk of a possible shift to Bani Gala. He said it’s too early to confirm any move to Khan’s private residence there.

According to Raja, any location can technically be turned into a sub-jail. That step would only be taken if doctors decide prison life is harming his health.

Raja also pointed out something from the report given to court. It mentioned that jail conditions have been a source of stress for Khan.

Zulfi Bukhari, a close aide currently based in Dubai, spoke about what might happen if Khan walked free. He said Khan wouldn’t try to clash with the military leadership.

Bukhari described his close friend as someone who thinks about the country first. He said Khan tends to hold back personal frustration for the sake of national stability.

He also called the Supreme Court’s ruling a positive sign for the party. PTI, he added, would follow the court’s request to keep supporters away from the hospital.

Bukhari mentioned that senior party leaders haven’t spoken with Khan in about eight months. Several of them, he said, have been staying out of sight for safety reasons.

He hinted that some leaders may start showing up publicly again soon. Even those who stay hidden, he said, would still work behind the scenes to organize support.

Turning back to the legal side, the government’s review petition raised several points. It argued that a specific legal provision wasn’t properly considered before the transfer order was issued.

The petition also brought up an earlier request from Khan himself. He had reportedly asked to be treated at Shifa hospital before, but that request was turned down back in March.

Officials further argued that any prisoner moved to a hospital must stay under police watch. They referenced prison rules that lay out exactly how such transfers should happen.

The plea also noted that Khan has undergone regular medical checkups in the past. Medical boards have reportedly treated him on more than one occasion already.

Going back to the original Supreme Court order, judges had directed jail staff to move Khan for both assessment and treatment. They also called for a proper medical board to be formed for his case.

The court instructed that Khan’s personal doctor and another physician be present during his treatment. His family was told to cover the related medical costs.

Authorities were told to carry out the transfer under strict security. The court warned that failing to follow these directions could lead to some of Khan’s existing jail privileges being withdrawn.

After the order came out, PTI welcomed the court’s decision. The party also asked its workers not to gather near the hospital during the process.