Imran Khan declared fit, returned to jail after hospital visit.

Court Orders, Government Resistance, and Health Concerns collide in Pakistan’s political turmoil.

Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan was taken back to Adiala Jail after undergoing a medical check-up at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad. Doctors, including specialists in cardiology, ophthalmology, and general medicine, declared the 73-year-old politician “medically fit” to remain in custody.

The Supreme Court had earlier directed authorities to transfer Khan to Shifa International Hospital, a private facility, for specialized treatment. However, the government chose PIMS instead, citing legal requirements that convicted prisoners be treated in public hospitals. This decision has sparked criticism from Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, which accused officials of defying court orders.

Khan’s sister, Uzma Khan, expressed concern after meeting him during the hospital visit. She claimed her brother was suffering health complications due to solitary confinement and highlighted his ongoing eye condition – central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) – which has already caused significant vision loss. PTI’s legal team has argued that his health has deteriorated in prison and demanded compliance with the Supreme Court’s ruling.

Government ministers defended their stance, insisting that medical reports showed no urgent need for private treatment. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar emphasized that prisoners must be treated within jail facilities or public hospitals. At the same time, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry assured that the government would comply with the court’s decision, denying any deliberate delay.

Khan was moved to the hospital under tight security, with dozens of PTI supporters gathering outside. His return to jail underscores the ongoing clash between Pakistan’s judiciary, government, and opposition party. Since his imprisonment in August 2023, Khan has repeatedly claimed the charges against him are politically motivated, an allegation the government firmly rejects.

This episode reflects the broader struggle over Khan’s fate: a battle not only over his health but also over the rule of law, political legitimacy, and the balance of power in Pakistan. As the controversy deepens, the question of whether judicial orders will be fully honoured remains central to the unfolding political drama.