• Jail authorities submit report on ex-PM’s condition; SC set to hear plea for hospitalisation today
• PTI says Adiala jail report vindicates its concerns over party founder’s ‘deteriorating health’
ISLAMABAD: As the Supreme Court takes up PTI founder Imran Khan’s plea on Tuesday seeking treatment at Islamabad’s Shifa International Hospital, Adiala jail authorities have told the court that he and his wife, Bushra Bibi, have been holding regular weekly meetings, with 84 meetings held so far under jail rules.
A report submitted by the Superintendent Central Jail Rawalpindi (Adiala) said meetings between the “convicted prisoners” Imran Khan and his wife were held every Tuesday in accordance with jail rules.
A three-member SC bench, headed by Justice Shahid Wahid and comprising Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, will hear Imran’s petition on Aug 18.
The court had recently allowed an early hearing of his criminal appeal, through which he sought transfer to Shifa International Hospital and access to his family and personal physicians.
In its latest report, the jail administration said adequate healthcare facilities were being provided to the couple, with their health and well-being a priority. Medical officers visit Imran Khan thrice a day, checking his meals and recording his blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturation.
Stress, uncontrolled BP
According to an annexure, Dr Akhtar Ali Bandeshah of Pims examined him on Aug 1 and noted complaints of uncontrolled and fluctuating blood pressure, palpitations, headache and restlessness. The ex-premier attributed his symptoms and stress partly to infrequent meetings with his wife, family and social contacts, as well as the absence of newspapers and TV.
The doctor recommended measures to reduce mental stress, including more frequent meetings with his wife and access to reading material. He also recommended CT coronary angiography and an increase in BP medication, noting that the 74-year-old PTI leader faced a risk of complications.
On Aug 10, the SC was informed, a medical board comprising Pims specialists examined him after he complained of heaviness in the head and palpitations. It recommended a one-hour daily walk and relaxation in his prison routine, besides access to newspapers, magazines, television and books.
The board also recommended more frequent interaction with immediate family members or his spouse, saying this could help control his anxiety and blood pressure.
The jail administration said medical readings had been properly maintained since his admission and consultants from public-sector tertiary hospitals had examined him. Records of their examinations and prescriptions were attached to the report.
The report also cited his treatment for an eye condition at Pims and said his vision had almost returned to normal after intervention by senior ophthalmologists. Yet media statements, interviews and tweets attributed to him and other PTI leaders had been used to malign state institutions and incite public disaffection, it added.
It cited Rule 265 of the Pakistan Prison Rules, 1978, which bars discussion of political matters during prisoner interviews, and referred to an Islamabad High Court order concerning media talks after meetings with the ex-premier.
The jail authorities urged the SC to dismiss the criminal appeal as being devoid of merit and attached court orders, news clippings, PTI statements, tweets, consultants’ check-up summaries and medical reports.
‘Alarming picture’
While expressing grave concern over the report, the PTI said it vindicated its longstanding concerns about his condition and confinement.
PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram said the report presented an alarming picture, citing complaints of rapid heartbeat, severe headache, restlessness and heightened anxiety. He questioned why recommended medical investigations and treatment had not been ensured.
In a statement issued on Monday, he also pointed to an apparent contradiction between the jail administration’s claims that Imran was being provided newspapers, books and television and a medical board’s recommendation on Aug 10 that these facilities be made available, along with regular meetings with his wife and family.
The PTI leader said prolonged isolation and restricted access to information and family could adversely affect Imran’s physical and mental well-being.
He said the government could not evade responsibility by shifting the matter to jail authorities.
Also, the PTI demanded that the ex-premier be immediately shifted to Shifa International Hospital for a comprehensive medical examination under the supervision of his personal physicians, Dr Asim Yousaf and Dr Faisal Sultan.
With input from Ikram Junaidi
Published in Dawn, August 18th, 2026
