Sudden medical shift raises political tension
The medical treatment of imprisoned former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan has triggered fresh controversy after his third unscheduled hospital visit of 2026. According to reports from Islamabad-based journalist Muhammad Zareef, authorities moved Khan from Adiala Jail to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences at around 1:50 AM on April 27, 2026.
Moreover, security officials escorted him under heavy protection as doctors conducted medical assessments for just over an hour. Authorities then returned him to prison custody at approximately 3:10 AM. The timing of the transfer has intensified political debate across Pakistan.
At the same time, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders strongly criticized the move, calling it “secretive” and questioning why authorities conduct such transfers without informing family members or legal representatives in advance.
Repeated hospital visits fuel scrutiny
This latest incident marks the third major medical transfer involving Khan in 2026. Earlier, on January 24, doctors treated him at PIMS for a retinal condition, which officials described as a routine procedure. Later, on February 24, authorities shifted him again for a follow-up eye treatment, prompting protests from his legal team over transparency concerns.
In response, government officials maintained that all medical decisions follow specialist recommendations. They added that doctors conduct regular evaluations inside Adiala Jail to reduce the need for external transfers.
However, PTI continues to question the handling of Khan’s health information, arguing that limited communication creates uncertainty. Consequently, the repeated midnight movements have further heightened political tensions in Islamabad.
As of Monday morning, authorities had not issued an official statement detailing the latest emergency hospital visit.
