Former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan has been shifted back to prison after spending only a few hours at a hospital in Islamabad. The 73-year-old was taken to Shifa International Hospital on Thursday night under a Supreme Court order for evaluation and treatment of multiple health issues, including an eye condition.
Khan, who has been in custody for more than three years following his removal from office in 2022, was expected to remain at the facility until his next hearing scheduled for September 16. His party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, confirmed the return to jail and described the hospital visit as a temporary step rather than a final resolution. Party leaders emphasised that genuine freedom and an independent judiciary remain their primary objectives.
The court directive for medical attention followed rising concerns about Khan’s health. Authorities were also instructed to allow him weekly meetings with family members, addressing the isolation faced by political prisoners. On Tuesday, Khan met his wife, Bushra Bibi, and his sister, Noreen Niazi, at Adiala Jail. These were his first family visits of the year, ending a gap of roughly nine months. The meeting with his sister lasted about 15 minutes, while the one with his wife continued for 30 to 35 minutes.
Khan was ousted after a political rift with the military, which holds significant influence in the country. He and other party leaders were barred from contesting the 2024 general elections. In 2025 he received a 14-year sentence in a land corruption case involving the Al-Qadir Trust, in which prosecutors alleged he and his wife accepted land as a bribe. A separate 2024 conviction stemmed from the public disclosure of a classified diplomatic cable.
Despite prolonged imprisonment, Khan continues to command strong backing among party supporters and younger voters. A party spokesperson recently stated that, if released, Khan would act in a manner that avoids harm to the country, describing him as magnanimous.
The brief hospital stay and subsequent return to custody highlight ongoing legal and medical developments surrounding the former prime minister.