Pakistan signals flexibility on Imran Khan's medical care amid court order

A senior Pakistani cabinet minister said Thursday that the government could permit imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan to receive treatment at a private hospital or even abroad, should adequate care not be available in a state facility. The statement comes as authorities work to implement a Supreme Court directive on Khan's medical examination.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the government has approached the Supreme Court for clarification on whether the medical relief granted to Khan applies only to him or could extend to other prisoners. He stressed that the request was not an attempt to delay or defy the court's ruling.

The comments followed heightened security at an Islamabad hospital, where dozens of journalists gathered in anticipation of Khan's arrival. The former premier has not been seen publicly since his imprisonment in 2023 on graft charges.

Under the Supreme Court order, Khan is to be taken to a private hospital of his choice before midnight Thursday for examination by a medical board that includes his personal physician. Authorities had earlier asked the court to review or withdraw the order, but the court declined on technical grounds, asking for proper paperwork.

Concerns about Khan's health emerged in late January when his family claimed he had lost about 85% of vision in his right eye. The government disputed this, saying he had regained roughly 70% of vision and was improving.

Khan, a former cricket star, was ousted in a no-confidence vote in April 2022 and has been in custody since 2023 following convictions in multiple cases.