Government formally requests Imran Khan’s transfer to hospital

The government has formally requested that PTI founder Imran Khan be transferred from Adiala Jail to a hospital for medical treatment, according to Information Minister Atta Tarar.

The development marks a shift in the government's position, following days of demands from PTI for Khan's hospitalisation.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday accused the government of politicising the health of its founder, Imran Khan, and demanded his immediate transfer to a hospital. The party was responding to a press conference by federal ministers, describing their remarks as “deeply regrettable, irresponsible and shameful.”

In a statement, PTI asserted that Khan's health is a humanitarian and fundamental rights issue, not a matter for political point-scoring. The party challenged the government's assertion that Khan was receiving adequate medical care in Adiala Jail, referencing a medical report submitted to the Supreme Court by the jail superintendent.

According to PTI, this report led the Supreme Court to order Khan's transfer to Shifa International Hospital and the formation of a specialist medical board. The party questioned why such orders would be necessary if the care in jail was satisfactory.

PTI also drew a comparison to the case of former premier Nawaz Sharif, noting that the previous PTI government had allowed him to travel abroad for medical treatment, recognising his right to care despite political differences.