Pakistan's jailed former prime minister Imran Khan was briefly taken to a hospital in the capital on supreme court orders after weeks of concern over his health, before being returned to prison several hours later.
Key facts
- Imran Khan, 73, was taken to a hospital in Pakistan's capital on supreme court orders.
- The transfer happened in the early hours of Friday.
- He was returned to Adiala prison in Rawalpindi after a few hours, according to his party.
- The move followed weeks of uproar over his reportedly deteriorating health.
Pakistan’s jailed former prime minister Imran Khan was briefly taken to a hospital in the country’s capital on supreme court orders, following weeks of mounting concern over his reportedly deteriorating health, according to the Guardian.
Khan, 73, was transferred to the hospital in the early hours of Friday, a spokesperson for his party said. He was then moved back to Adiala prison in Rawalpindi after only a few hours.
The hospital visit came after weeks of what the Guardian described as uproar over the former leader’s health while in detention. The supreme court ordered the transfer amid those concerns.
A spokesperson for Khan’s party confirmed the details of the transfer and his subsequent return to prison on Friday.
The brief nature of the visit — with Khan returned to custody within hours — is likely to keep attention on the former prime minister’s condition and the circumstances of his imprisonment.
Why it matters
Imran Khan remains one of Pakistan's most prominent political figures, and questions over his health and treatment in detention carry significant political weight. The supreme court's intervention underscores continuing scrutiny of how the jailed former leader is being handled by the authorities.
Frequently asked questions
Why was Imran Khan taken to hospital?
He was transferred to a hospital on supreme court orders after weeks of uproar over his reportedly deteriorating health, according to the Guardian.
How long did Imran Khan stay at the hospital?
He was taken to the hospital in the early hours of Friday and returned to Adiala prison in Rawalpindi after a few hours, a spokesperson for his party said.
How old is Imran Khan?
Imran Khan is 73 years old.