Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has been transferred from Adiala jail to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad under heavy security, after the Supreme Court ordered he be examined by doctors following complaints about his deteriorating health. A three-judge panel ruled that authorities had a constitutional duty to safeguard his life, health and dignity, and directed that he be taken to hospital within 48 hours, with an eye specialist involved in his treatment. The move matters because Khan, 73, remains a hugely influential figure in Pakistani politics despite his imprisonment, and concerns about his welfare in custody have been a persistent flashpoint between his supporters and the government.

Khan's lawyers say he has been unable to access specialist medical care and suffers from several health conditions, including severely impaired eyesight—in February one lawyer said he had only 15% vision left in his right eye, a claim the government disputed. He has been jailed since August 2023 on corruption charges he insists are politically motivated, and has faced more than 100 cases ranging from leaking state secrets to selling state gifts; he and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were sentenced to 17 years last year. Judges and Khan's party, Tehreek-e-Insaf, warned supporters not to gather outside the hospital, as doing so would breach the court's order.