Imran Khan returns to Adiala jail after overnight medical examination at Shifa: Tarar

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan was shifted back to Adiala jail early on Friday after undergoing a detailed medical examination at Islamabad’s Shifa International Hospital, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said.

In a post on X, Tarar said Imran had been taken to the hospital during the night of August 20 and 21 under “appropriate security arrangements” in accordance with the Supreme Court’s orders.

“A team of qualified doctors, including an ophthalmologist, cardiologist and physician, conducted his detailed examination and declared him medically fit,” Tarar said.

He added that Imran’s sister, Uzma Khan, remained present throughout the medical examination and treatment process.

“After completion of the entire process, he was transferred back to Adiala jail at approximately 0500 hours on August 21, 2026,” the minister said.

Imran had been transferred from Adiala jail to Shifa International Hospital shortly after midnight on Friday following a Supreme Court order on Tuesday that Imran be moved to the hospital for treatment for the next few days and directed the government to arrange weekly meetings between him and his family. In response, the government had filed a review petition before the SC, calling its order “discriminatory in nature”.

Imran was taken via Chakri to the hospital, where he was medically examined and was expected to be treated. The hospital and its surrounding areas were surrounded by the police, while several roads leading to the hospital were temporarily closed by installing barbed wire. A heavy police contingent was deployed around the hospital and no unrelated person was allowed to go near it.

The Islamabad police chief and senior personnel were also present outside the hospital ahead of the 12am deadline to inspect the security situation.

PTI leaders had also urged party workers not to gather outside Shifa, in line with the Supreme Court’s direction that no political activity or media conferences be held outside the hospital during Khan’s treatment.

The transfer took place after the government had faced criticism from Imran’s lawyers and PTI leaders over delays in implementing the Supreme Court’s August 18 order.  Imran’s lawyer Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry had warned on Thursday that he would file a contempt of court petition in the Supreme Court over the government’s failure to comply with its court order regarding his client’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital.

Read: Imran transferred to Islamabad’s Shifa International Hospital with heightened security in place

The Supreme Court had ordered Imran’s transfer to Shifa after considering a medical board report and a report submitted by the Adiala jail superintendent. The reports had recommended more frequent meetings between Khan and his immediate family and spouse, citing concerns including his blood pressure and anxiety.

The government had subsequently filed a review petition against the order, which was returned by the SC registrar’s office over objections concerning the required paper books, according to sources. The government was expected to refile the petition after addressing the objections.

SC orders Imran’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital for treatment

On Tuesday, SC ordered that Imran be shifted to Shifa International Hospital for treatment for the next few days and directed the government to arrange weekly meetings between him and his family.

The hearing came after a medical board report and a report by the Adiala Jail Superintendent submitted to the SC on Monday recommended more frequent meetings between Imran and his immediate family and spouse to help manage his blood pressure and anxiety, highlighting concerns over the former premier’s blood pressure (BP).

A three-member bench headed by Justice Shahid Waheed was hearing cases concerning Imran’s access to his sisters and personal physicians, as well as his medical record.

Read: Govt calls SC order to shift Imran to private hospital ‘discriminatory’, files review petition

The court further ordered that Imran’s personal physician, Dr Faisal Sultan, be granted access to him and directed the formation of a medical board comprising an eye specialist, a general physician, and a cardiologist along with Dr Sultan.

His sister, Dr Uzma, will also be associated with the newly established medical board, according to the order. The SC directed that Imran’s family bear the cost of his treatment at the hospital.

The court also instructed Imran’s family and lawyers not to share his medical report with the media, with Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan ordering that the report be kept completely confidential.

“We assure the court that the medical report will remain completely confidential,” Raja said. The court further directed that no political activity, media talks or press conferences be held outside the hospital.

“Do not engage in politics outside the hospital,” Justice Afghan said. “There are other patients in the hospital,” he added, stressing that other patients should not be affected.

Raja and PTI Parliamentary Secretary Shahid Khattak assured the court that no political activity would take place outside the hospital. “Our political activities will remain completely separate,” Raja said.

Read: Medical board urges concessions for Imran

The court also directed that arrangements be made for Imran to have telephone conversations with his children.

The SC ordered that Imran’s medical reports not be used for political purposes. The court warned that the order could be withdrawn if its directives were violated, while allowing the government and other parties to approach the court if they believed the orders were not being implemented.