ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has been shifted from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad under tight security, according to sources.
Khan was reportedly taken from Adiala Jail’s Gate No. 1, with a heavy police contingent accompanying him to the hospital. Security arrangements were significantly strengthened around the medical facility ahead of his arrival.
The Islamabad Inspector General of Police and senior police officials also visited Shifa International Hospital to review security arrangements and oversee the deployment of personnel.
Medical Examination at Shifa Hospital
Sources at the hospital said special arrangements had been made for Imran Khan’s medical examination.
A team of six specialist doctors is expected to examine the PTI founder. Following the assessment, hospital authorities will determine whether he needs to be formally admitted for treatment.
Additional security personnel have been deployed inside and outside the hospital, while access to the area has been restricted as part of the security plan.
The development comes after the Supreme Court ordered on August 18 that Imran Khan be shifted to Shifa International Hospital for medical assessment and treatment.
The court had also directed the formation of a medical board comprising relevant specialists and Khan’s personal physician.
PTI Had Threatened Contempt Proceedings
Before the transfer was carried out, PTI had announced that it would approach the Supreme Court with a contempt of court petition if Khan was not shifted to Shifa International Hospital by Thursday night.
According to PTI sources, the party had been waiting for implementation of the Supreme Court’s order. Party representatives said that failure to comply with the directive would lead to legal action against those responsible.
The situation intensified amid a dispute between the government and PTI over the implementation of the court order.
Government Challenged Hospital Transfer
The government had filed a review petition challenging the Supreme Court’s decision to transfer Khan to a private hospital.
However, the Supreme Court Registrar’s Office returned the review petition after raising procedural objections. Government sources indicated that the objections would be addressed before the petition was submitted again.
PTI maintained that the Supreme Court’s order should be implemented without delay and warned that any failure to comply could result in contempt proceedings.
Security Tightened Around Hospital
The transfer took place amid heightened security arrangements in Islamabad.
Police personnel were deployed along the route and around Shifa International Hospital. Senior police officials inspected the arrangements to ensure Khan’s safe transfer and to prevent any unauthorised gathering around the hospital.
Meanwhile, Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry also raised the possibility of Imran Khan being sent abroad, although no final decision regarding such a move has been announced.
For now, Imran Khan has been shifted to Shifa International Hospital for medical assessment and treatment under the Supreme Court’s directives.
The development marks another significant stage in the ongoing legal and political dispute between PTI and the government over Khan’s medical treatment and conditions during his imprisonment.
