Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has been returned to Adiala prison after spending several hours at a hospital for medical examinations ordered by the country’s Supreme Court. Khan, 73, was transferred from the prison in Rawalpindi to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad early Friday and was later taken back to jail, according to his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.
Khan’s sister, Uzma Khan, who was present during the examination, said the former prime minister was stable and medically fit. However, she claimed that Khan repeatedly told her he was being tortured while in prison.
The hospital visit followed a Supreme Court order issued on Tuesday directing authorities to transfer Khan to a private hospital within 48 hours. The court also ordered that he be examined by a medical panel that included his personal physician.
However, Khan was taken to the state-run PIMS hospital instead of Shifa International Hospital, which had been recommended by the court. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the change was necessary because of security concerns caused by PTI supporters along the planned route.
PTI condemned the decision, describing it as an open violation of the Supreme Court’s order. The government, however, maintained that security concerns made the alternative hospital necessary.
Tarar said Khan was examined overnight by a team of doctors before being returned to prison. The former prime minister remains incarcerated as his political party continues to raise concerns about his health and treatment in custody.
