Imran Khan after appearing in the Supreme Court in 2023 | PC- AFP
In a massive development, the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday ordered the Rawalpindi jail to move former Prime Minister and World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan to the hospital, following his deteriorating health.
The 72-year-old was removed from his post as Pakistan's PM in April 2022, before he was jailed in August 2023 following convictions in multiple high-profile legal and corruption cases.
However, after repeated pleas from his family and his party, PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf), workers, the top Pakistani court issued a verdict in Imran's favour.
SC orders to move Imran Khan to Islamabad hospital
According to the Reuters, SC has ordered the authorities to move Imran Khan from Rawalpindi prison to the Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad within 48 hours.
The former cricketer's spokesperson, Naeem Haider Panjutha, on X has revealed that he will be under the observation of a panel of elite doctors until further notice. Moreover, one of his sisters, Dr Uzma Khanum, will also be allowed to be around the 72-year-old.
Also Read: Babar Azam's Test Record In England: Why Is His Injury A Big Blow For Pakistan?
Notably, it was reported earlier that Imran lost sight in his right eye while in prison, for which he has visited eye specialists a couple of times since late January.
However, a day after the SC ordered the transfer of the cricketer to a facility in the country's capital, the Rawalpindi jail authorities have submitted a report to the top court about Imran’s eyesight, stating it is “almost normal”.
"Consequently, significant improvement of his eye has been noticed, and his vision returned to almost normal," the report by the jail authorities read as quoted by NDTV World.
Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev among four other Indians sign petition for Imran Khan's release
Earlier in February, around 14 former prominent cricketers, including the Indian legends Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev, had drafted the petition requesting Imran Khan's release from the prison for better treatment following deteriorating health.
Apart from the 14 former cricketers, former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin and ex-batter Ajay Jadeja also echoed their voices through a post on social media. Moreover, Pakistan's Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar also spoke about the same.
From cricketing field to political battleground: Imran Khan's journey
Regarded as one of the finest all-rounders of all time and Pakistan's only World Cup-winning captain, Imran Khan had an illustrious career, featuring 88 Test matches and 175 ODIs for his national team.
As his international career spanned over two decades, he scored 7516 runs and took 544 wickets, including seven centuries, 37 fifties and 24 five-wicket hauls.
Under his astute leadership, Pakistan pulled off one of the greatest heists during the 1992 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, as the Men in Green lifted the trophy against all odds.
After his playing days ended, the legendary cricketer actively participated in social work and later in politics.
In 1994, Imran established the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in memory of his beloved mother, whom he lost to cancer. Meanwhile, he founded his political party, PTI, in 1996 before becoming the PM in 2018.
Also Read: Harry Brook Snubbed As ICC Declares Player Of The Month Winner For July 2026
