Pakistan's government has announced it will challenge a Supreme Court ruling that orders the transfer of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan to a private hospital over health concerns. The top court's decision on Tuesday mandates that the 73-year-old be moved from Adiala prison in Rawalpindi to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad within 48 hours.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said in a video statement that the ruling "does not fall within the four corners of the law," arguing that convicted prisoners must receive treatment either inside jail or at a public hospital. He requested that Khan's medical tests be conducted at a government facility instead.

Khan, a former cricket star turned politician, has been incarcerated since 2023 following convictions on multiple charges he claims are politically motivated. His party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and his family have repeatedly raised alarms about his deteriorating health, with his lawyers stating he has lost most of the vision in his right eye.

The Supreme Court's order also grants Khan access to his personal physician, weekly family visits, and bi-weekly phone calls with his sons residing in London. This comes amid ongoing concerns about his medical condition and treatment in detention.

Khan served as Pakistan's prime minister from 2018 to 2022, when he was ousted via a no-confidence vote. He was subsequently convicted on charges including an unlawful marriage and corruption, receiving a 17-year sentence late last year alongside his wife. Both deny any wrongdoing.

Despite his imprisonment, PTI retains significant support across key provinces, and Khan remains a popular figure. His arrest in early 2023 sparked nationwide protests that led to hundreds of arrests, highlighting the deep political divisions in the country.

Source: www.dw.com