'Move Imran Khan To Hospital': Pak Top Court Amid Health Concerns For Ex-PM

In a big relief to Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan, the country's top court has ordered that the jailed leader be moved to a private hospital amid concerns over his deteriorating health. The order came in response to a longstanding demand of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party and family, who had raised concerns citing his latest medical reports.According to PTI spokesperson Naeem Haider Panjutha, the Supreme Court has directed Khan be moved to Shifa International Hospital within 48 hours and remain there until September 16.The 73-year-old cricketer-turned-politician has been in jail since August 2023 after being convicted in a string of cases that he says were politically driven following his ouster in 2022.Since last year, his sons have repeatedly expressed concern regarding his deteriorating health, with his lawyers saying he had lost significant vision in his right eye while in prison."It's a very welcome order, and we wish it had happened sooner so his eye and general health would not have deteriorated this much," PTI's other spokesperson Zulfikar Bukhari said."He should remain in hospital until all doctors are satisfied," he said.Since he lost power in a no-confidence vote, Khan has faced multiple cases, including over state gifts and an unlawful marriage. Some convictions have been suspended or overturned, with appeals pending. He denies wrongdoing.Cricket greats from around the world, including from across the border in India, demanded better treatment for him in February, expressing "deep concern" about his prison conditions.PTI won power in 2018 and retains a large support base across key provinces. But it was stripped of its election symbol ahead of the 2024 vote, forcing its candidates to run as independents.