Last Updated on August 23, 2026 by YeJahan
Government decides to file review petition
YEJAHAN REPORT
ISLAMABAD (Aug 18, 2026) : The Supreme Court of Pakistan ordered the government on Tuesday to shift incarcerated leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and former prime minister Imran Khan to a private hospital in Islamabad for medical treatment, seeking a complete report of his cases and treatment.
Seventy-three-year-old cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan has been in Adiyala jail, Rawalpindi since August 2023, convicted in multiple cases including the Toshakhana case for misusing state protocol to retain expensive foreign gifts during his premiership from 2018 to 2022.
His family, party and lawers repeatedly expressed concern regarding his deteriorating health, saying he had lost significant vision in his right eye while in prison.
In a seven-page written order, the court said, “We are mindful of the constitutional and legal obligation of the State, and consequently of the Court, to safeguard the life, health, dignity and security of persons in custody. A prisoner does not, by reason of his incarceration, cease to be entitled to humane treatment and necessary medical care.”
The court ordered authorities to place before it the complete medical record of Imran Khan Niazi, as well as details of the meetings held during the preceding three months between him and his family members and lawyers.
“The prisoner shall, within the next two days, be shifted to Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad,” the order said.
The judgement also ordered the government to file complete details of all cases in which Imran Khan is accused, arrested, facing trial, or has been convicted and sentenced. It also ordered the creation of a medical panel for his treatment, including a physician, general surgeon, eye specialist, and cardiologist.
The court said, “The prisoner, or any person related to or associated with him in any capacity, shall not use the medical reports or information concerning his health as an instrument for political gain.” Welcoming the order, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said, “No matter how much gratitude I offer to Allah Almighty, it is never enough… On behalf of the party, I have assured that no loyalist of Khan Sahib will create a crowd around or near Shifa International Hospital. We all must uphold this promise. Our actions must not become any hindrance to the meetings of Khan Sahib with his sister Dr. Azma and his personal physician Dr. Faisal Sultan. Allah Almighty will create ease.”
اللہ تعالیٰ کا جتنا شکر ادا کروں کم ہے۔ تمام قوم سجدہ شکر بجا لائے۔ عمران خان صاحب کی صحت کے حوالے سے قابل اعتبار اطلاع اور انکی صحت کی مکمل بحالی ہمارا اولین مقصد ہے۔ آج خان صاحب کی مجھے سیکریٹری جنرل بنانے کی حکمت مجھ پر واضح ہوئی۔ پچھلے منگل رجسٹرار سپریم کورٹ نے مجھ سے ملاقات… https://t.co/ztPqbtVV3k
— salman akram raja (@salmanAraja) August 18, 2026
The court urged the family to bear the expenses for the treatment and facilities provided by Shifa International Hospital besides ordering Khan’s family, party, and his lawyers not to disclose or share his health condition with the media or the general public.
The government , on the other hand, decided to file a review petition as according to the Federal Minister for Law and Justice, the order does not fall within the legal parameters governing the provision of facilities to a convicted prisoner.
“If a prisoner is to be taken outside the jail, treatment must take place at a government hospital, Azam said.
Azam said the decision will create several complications, and vowed to approach the Supreme Court to seek appropriate modifications in the order.
Since he lost power in a no-confidence vote, Khan has faced multiple cases, including over state gifts and an accusation of an unlawful marriage. Some convictions have been suspended or overturned, with appeals pending. He denies wrongdoing.
Ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Saad Rafiq has welcomed the decision of the apex court, demanding on social media platform X that the other leaders of PTI, including Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Aijaz Chaudhry, Umer Cheema, and Mian Mehmood Rasheed be also given justice.
آواز دروں —•—
— Khawaja Saad Rafique (@KhSaad_Rafique) August 18, 2026
پی ٹی آئ کے قائد عمران خان کی الشفا ھسپتال منتقلی اور انکی
ھمشیرہ و ڈاکٹر کی ان سے ملاقات کا عدالتی فیصلہ خوش آئند ھے
اس فیصلے سے عدلیہ کا کھویا ھوا وقار بحال ھو گا ،
سچ یہ ھے کہ اس فیصلے سے میرے دل کا بوجھ کچھ کم ھوا ھے ۔۔ برسات کی حبس زدہ رُت میں یہ فیصلہ…
Tehreek-e-Insaaf retains a large support base across the country and runs government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
