Following a petition filed by his defense team highlighting deteriorating health conditions, Pakistan's Supreme Court on Tuesday directed that incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan be transferred to a medical facility for thorough health evaluations.

Justice Shahid Waheed stated that the 73-year-old former leader—who has been imprisoned on corruption convictions since 2023—will be relocated within the next two days to Shifa International Hospital in the nation's capital, Islamabad.

Towards the end of last year, both Khan and his spouse received 17-year prison sentences.

Earlier this year, the former leader received specialized medical care for an eye ailment, with his relatives and legal counsel disclosing that he has suffered near-total vision loss in his right eye.

Before his removal through a parliamentary no-confidence vote in 2022—which stemmed from a major political standoff with the nation's powerful military establishment—the former national cricket captain governed as prime minister from 2018.

Since losing power, he has faced an array of legal proceedings involving corruption and various other charges.

Khan, alongside his political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), maintains that every legal action brought against him stems from political motivation.

His initial detention in May 2023 sparked widespread nationwide demonstrations, a portion of which turned violent and triggered the arrests of hundreds of people.

Source: AFP