Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Imran Khan’s Lawyers Seek UN Action Over Hospital Transfer Dispute
Imran Khan is a former prime minister of Pakistan who is being held in jail.
His lawyers say he is not receiving the medical care ordered by the country’s Supreme Court.
The court had directed that he be taken to Shifa International Hospital.
Instead, he was taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences for examinations.
The government said this happened because of security concerns near the private hospital.
Doctors from both hospitals took part in his medical assessment.
The government said Khan was in good health and returned him to jail.
His lawyers disagree and have asked United Nations and human rights groups to intervene.
They want those groups to check whether Pakistan is following the court’s order.
Lawyers for former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan appealed to United Nations bodies over alleged non-compliance with medical-care directions.
They said the Supreme Court of Pakistan ordered Khan’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital for treatment.
Khan was instead taken from Adiala Jail to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences during the night of August 20–21.
Pakistan’s government said security concerns prompted the transfer to the public hospital and that Khan was in good health.
The lawyers requested international monitoring of Khan’s medical care, detention conditions, family contact and legal rights.
- Who
- Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, his lawyers, Pakistan’s government and jail authorities, along with United Nations and international human rights bodies.
- What
- Khan’s lawyers asked international bodies to intervene over alleged failure to fully implement Supreme Court directions concerning his medical care.
- When
- The representation was dated August 21, 2026; Khan’s hospital transfer occurred during the night of August 20–21, 2026.
- Where
- Khan was moved from Adiala Jail to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad; the lawyers sought intervention from bodies including the United Nations.
- Why
- The lawyers alleged that Khan’s court-ordered medical care was not fully provided and sought specialised treatment, monitoring and protection of his rights in custody.
Khan’s Lawyers
Pakistan Government
Compliance with the hospital-transfer order
Khan’s Lawyers
The lawyers allege that the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s direction to transfer Khan to Shifa International Hospital was not fully implemented and have sought international intervention.
Pakistan Government
The government transferred Khan to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences instead, citing security concerns linked to supporters gathering near or traveling toward Shifa International Hospital.
Khan’s medical condition
Khan’s Lawyers
The lawyers say Khan’s health requires urgent attention, a multidisciplinary medical examination and specialised treatment where necessary.
Pakistan Government
The government said Khan was found to be in good health after examination by doctors from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences and Shifa International Hospital.
Role of international bodies
Khan’s Lawyers
The lawyers asked United Nations bodies, Amnesty International and other rights offices to seek information, monitor compliance and review Khan’s detention conditions and access to rights.
Pakistan Government
The government has filed a review petition challenging the Supreme Court’s order to transfer Khan to a private hospital, arguing that the order exceeds its jurisdiction.
- Appeal date
- August 21, 2026
- Medical transfer
- Khan was taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences during the night of August 20–21.
- Court direction
- The Supreme Court of Pakistan had directed that Khan be shifted to Shifa International Hospital.
- Government explanation
- The government cited security concerns after supporters gathered outside or headed toward Shifa International Hospital.
- Medical assessment
- Two Shifa International Hospital specialists joined the ophthalmological assessment, while Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences specialists conducted other examinations.
- International bodies contacted
- The appeal was sent to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and several United Nations Special Rapporteurs.
- Standards cited
- The lawyers invoked the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, also known as the Nelson Mandela Rules.