Imran Khan Meets Wife Bushra Bibi, Sister As Pak Court Orders Hospital Transfer

Jailed former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan met his wife Bushra Bibi and sister Noreen Niazi at Adiala Jail on Tuesday, after the Supreme Court ordered weekly family meetings and directed authorities to move him to a hospital for treatment.

A three judge Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Shahid Waheed ordered that Khan be shifted from Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad within 48 hours. He is to remain under medical care there until the court hears the matter again on September 16.

The order came amid concerns about the 73 year old former premier’s health. Reports before the court cited high blood pressure, anxiety and a low heart rate. His family has also raised concerns about his eyesight. The court ordered a medical board, including specialists and Khan’s personal doctor, to monitor his condition.

The court also eased restrictions on Khan’s family. It directed authorities to allow weekly family meetings and phone calls with his sons, who live in London and have not seen him since 2022.

Noreen met Khan in the jail conference room for about 15 minutes. She briefed him about the hospital order and discussed his health and legal matters. She had not been allowed to meet him for around nine months.

Khan’s other sisters, Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan, also reached the jail but were not allowed to meet him. Political leaders from his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party were also kept out of the meeting.

Khan later met Bushra Bibi, who is also imprisoned. Their meeting lasted about 30 to 35 minutes. Bushra had earlier met her children and other relatives.

The Supreme Court also warned Khan’s family and legal team against sharing his medical reports with the media or using his health issue for political purposes. The court said the relief could be withdrawn if its conditions were violated.

However, the hospital transfer now faces a fresh challenge. Pakistan Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said on Wednesday that the government will seek a review of the Supreme Court order, arguing that the decision goes beyond existing law. The government says convicted prisoners can receive treatment in jail or at a public hospital.

Khan has been in prison since 2023 and is serving a 14 year sentence in the Al Qadir Trust corruption case. He denies wrongdoing and says the cases against him are politically motivated.

His PTI party has welcomed the Supreme Court order and called for its immediate implementation.