Islamabad, 21 August (H.S.): Ousted Pakistan Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, who has been incarcerated at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, also known as Rawalpindi Central Jail, since August 2023, was finally taken to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad for medical evaluation and treatment.

A police official said Khan was taken to the hospital under tight security shortly before the deadline set by the Supreme Court expired, following its order directing that he be shifted from prison for medical care.

According to reports, a team of specialist doctors will now assess Khan and decide whether he needs to be admitted to the hospital. Before Khan’s arrival, Inspector General of Police Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi visited the facility to review the security arrangements.

The Supreme Court had ordered on Tuesday that the former prime minister be shifted from jail to the hospital within two days. The federal government, however, challenged the decision by filing a review petition against the Supreme Court order on Wednesday.

Security was tightened outside Shifa International Hospital, with a large contingent of police personnel deployed in and around the area. Vehicles parked along roads near the hospital were also removed as part of the security arrangements. Before Khan was moved from Adiala Jail, police formally informed PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan about the transfer.

The 73-year-old Imran Khan has been convicted in several cases and continues to face a number of serious legal proceedings. He was removed as prime minister in April 2022 following a no-confidence vote.

Meanwhile, PTI Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja said it was too early to say whether Khan would eventually be kept at his Bani Gala residence after leaving the hospital. He said any building could potentially be declared a sub-jail.

Raja added that if doctors concluded that returning Khan to prison would be detrimental to his health, the possibility of keeping him elsewhere could be considered.

In its order on Tuesday, the Supreme Court directed Adiala Jail authorities to transfer the PTI founder to Shifa Hospital within two days for medical examination and treatment. The court also ordered the constitution of a medical board comprising doctors to examine and treat Khan.

The court further directed that Dr Uzma and the former prime minister’s personal physician be present during his examination and treatment. The expenses related to the medical examination and treatment will be borne by Khan’s family.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar