Islamabad: Pakistan's Supreme Court has intervened in the ongoing legal troubles of former Prime Minister Imran Khan by ordering his transfer from jail to a hospital for medical evaluations. The court's decision followed a petition from Khan's legal team, which highlighted concerns over his deteriorating health.
According to France24.com, the court's ruling was delivered by Justice Shahid Waheed, who instructed that Khan, aged 73 and incarcerated on corruption charges since 2023, be relocated to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad within the next two days. The health issues cited in the petition remain unspecified, although earlier this year, Khan underwent eye treatment amid claims from his family and lawyer that he had lost significant vision in his right eye.
Salman Akram Raja, the Secretary General of Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, expressed relief at the court's decision, describing it as "a major step, a major decision, a great blessing." In a Facebook video, he urged Khan's supporters to respect the court's agreement, emphasizing the need to avoid any public disturbances.
Khan's legal battles are numerous, stemming from his removal as Prime Minister in 2022 following a no-confidence vote. His tenure was marked by tensions with Pakistan's influential military establishment. The PTI and Khan have consistently argued that the charges against him are politically driven. His arrest in May 2023 ignited widespread protests, some of which escalated into violence, resulting in numerous arrests.
The former cricket star, who led Pakistan to a World Cup victory in 1992, was elected to office by a populace eager for change from the entrenched political dynasties. His vision for Pakistan was a welfare state inspired by the Islamic golden age. However, his administration struggled to stabilize the economy, which was plagued by severe inflation, overwhelming debt, and a declining currency, hindering his reform agenda.