Pakistan’s Supreme Court has ordered jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan to be moved to hospital, following complaints about his poor health, according to the BBC. A three-judge panel ordered that the cricketer-turned-politician be taken to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad in the next 48 hours to be examined by physicians, while the court also said Khan would be allowed weekly meetings with family members and telephone calls with his sons. Khan has been imprisoned since 2023 on corruption charges, which he says were politically motivated, as the Pakistani government has not publicly commented on the court ruling.

Concerns Over Health

In Tuesday’s court order, the panel wrote: “We are mindful of the constitutional and legal obligation… to safeguard the life, health, dignity and security of the prisoner.” The 73-year-old’s lawyers have said he’s suffering from various health conditions, including poor eyesight, and has been unable to access specialist medical care. In February, Khan’s lawyer said his client had 15% vision left in his right eye after prison authorities failed to take action—an allegation the government disputed. Reacting to the ruling, Zulfikar Bukhari, an adviser to Khan, said in quotes cited by AFP news agency: “We wish it had happened sooner so his eye and general health would not have deteriorated this much.”

Political Context

The court order said an eye specialist would be involved in Khan’s hospital treatment. The judges and members of Khan’s political party, Tehreek-e-Insaf, have warned supporters not to gather outside the hospital when he is transferred there, which would be a breach of the court order. Khan, who previously captained the Pakistan national cricket team, served as the country’s prime minister from 2018 to 2022. He was imprisoned in August 2023 and has faced charges in more than 100 cases, ranging from leaking state secrets to selling state gifts,all of which he decried as politically motivated. Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were both sentenced to 17 years late last year, though his jailing triggered large-scale protests by supporters, which were met with a security operation by authorities.

Political Presence

Despite his jailing, Khan remains a significant presence in Pakistani politics with a large number of supporters; the Supreme Court’s decision highlights ongoing concerns about the health of the former leader and reflects the broader political tensions in the country. The ruling also exposes the legal responsibilities of the state to ensure the well-being of individuals in custody — As the situation unfolds, the response from the government and the reactions from Khan’s supporters will be closely watched.