Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan will be transferred to a newly constructed jail in Islamabad equipped with medical facilities once it is completed within the next two months, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Friday.
Speaking to the media, Naqvi stated that since Khan was convicted by an Islamabad court, he would be moved to a prison in the capital. The upcoming facility, he added, will include proper healthcare infrastructure to address inmates’ medical needs.
The announcement comes amid growing controversy over Khan’s health inside Adiala Jail, where he is currently lodged. Recent reports, including a court-linked assessment, have alleged that the former premier suffered severe deterioration in health, including significant loss of vision in one eye. A report prepared by Supreme Court-appointed amicus curiae Salman Safdar claimed that nearly 85 per cent of vision in Khan’s right eye had been affected after repeated medical complaints were allegedly ignored.
Khan’s sister Aleema Khan had earlier filed a contempt petition against the jail superintendent, accusing authorities of negligence. The matter has since drawn the attention of the country’s top judiciary. Pakistan’s Supreme Court has set a February 16 deadline for Khan’s medical examination, with Chief Justice Yahya Afridi reportedly stating that his health was of paramount importance. The court has also directed that Khan be allowed to speak with his children.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah rejected claims of medical neglect, asserting that Khan could choose any doctor for an eye examination. He accused the opposition of politicising the issue.
For Khan’s supporters, however, the episode reinforces longstanding allegations of harsh treatment during his incarceration, deepening political tensions in Pakistan’s already volatile landscape.
