Noreen Niazi meets Imran Khan, declines to comment on his health

RAWALPINDI: Noreen Niazi, the sister of incarcerated former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan, met him in Adiala jail on Tuesday soon after the Supreme Court ordered that the PTI founder be shifted to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad for a comprehensive medical examination and treatment.

Only Noreen was allowed to enter Adiala jail as Imran’s other sisters, Aleema Khan and Dr Uzma Khan, as well as his cousin Qasim Zaman, were stopped at Dahgal Naka on Adiala Road.

Noreen later left the jail without speaking to reporters. She remained seated inside her vehicle with the windows closed when journalists asked about Imran’s health and whether she had met him.

Asked if she had met the PTI founder, Noreen nodded in the affirmative but did not respond to further questions.

The development came hours after the Supreme Court issued its detailed written order directing authorities to transfer Imran to Shifa International Hospital within two days for medical examination and treatment.

The seven-page order, authored by Justice Shahid Waheed, also directed the government to facilitate weekly meetings between Imran and his family and allow him to speak to his sons by telephone twice a week.

Supreme Court orders hospital transfer

The Supreme Court directed that Imran be shifted to Shifa International Hospital for examination and treatment of his eye condition.

The court ordered the formation of a five-member medical board to oversee his medical examination and treatment. The board will include a physician, general surgeon, internal medicine specialist, ophthalmologist and cardiologist.

The court also allowed Dr Faisal Sultan and Imran’s sister, Dr Uzma Khan, to participate in his medical examination and treatment.

The expenses of treatment and other facilities at Shifa International Hospital will be borne by Imran or his family, according to the written order.

The court said a person in custody was also entitled to humane treatment and necessary medical facilities.

“It is the constitutional and legal responsibility of the state and the court to protect the life, health, dignity and security of persons in custody,” the order said.

Court seeks complete medical record

The Supreme Court directed authorities to submit Imran’s complete medical record to the court, including all test reports, prescriptions, medical opinions and details of treatment since his arrest.

The court also sought complete details of Imran’s meetings with his family members and lawyers during the past three months.

Authorities were further directed to submit details of all cases against Imran that are pending, under trial, in custody or in which he has been convicted.

The order said the request for Imran’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital had been filed seeking treatment by a retina specialist and access to his personal physicians.

The petitioner had also sought appropriate access for Imran’s family during his medical examination and treatment.

The Islamabad High Court had rejected the petition seeking medical facilities on March 12, 2026. An appeal against that decision was subsequently filed before the Supreme Court.

The court said the question of whether the petition was maintainable, along with other objections, would be decided at the next hearing.

Family meetings, phone calls ordered

The Supreme Court directed the government to arrange one meeting between Imran and his family every week.

It also ordered that the former premier be allowed to speak to his sons by telephone twice a week.

At the same time, the court directed that no public gathering should be allowed within the premises of Shifa International Hospital during Imran’s treatment.

The court further ordered that Imran, his family or persons associated with him should not use his medical reports or health information for political gain.

It warned that the facilities being provided under the court’s orders could be withdrawn immediately in case of any violation of the directions.

Imran’s sisters stopped at checkpoint

Earlier on Tuesday, all three of Imran’s sisters and his cousin had reached a security checkpoint on Adiala Road.

A heavy police contingent was deployed at Dahgal Naka, where Aleema Khan, Dr Uzma Khan, Noreen Niazi and Qasim Zaman were initially stopped.

Only Noreen was subsequently allowed to proceed to Adiala jail’s Gate 5 to meet Imran.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Senior Minister Meena Khan and PTI leaders Khalid Yousuf Chaudhry and Shahid Khattak were also present at the checkpoint.

Speaking to journalists, Aleema said that the Supreme Court should also grant bail to Imran and his wife, Bushra Bibi.

She said that the Supreme Court’s order regarding Imran’s transfer to hospital had come after around eight months of demands by the PTI and his family.

“Politics does not trump health,” Aleema said, adding that Imran’s sisters were concerned about his health.

She said that if Imran had received relief from the courts, Bushra Bibi should also have been granted relief, arguing that the charges against her were weak.

Aleema confirmed that Noreen would be allowed to meet Imran but said the family would not speak to the media after leaving the jail.

Bushra Bibi also meets family

Separately, Imran’s wife Bushra Bibi also met members of her family in the jail on Tuesday, sources said.

The meeting, held in a conference room, lasted around 40 minutes and was attended by her children Musa and Mubashara Maneka and her sister-in-law Mehrunnisa, the sources said.

According to sources, Bushra’s health and legal matters were discussed during the meeting.

Security arrangements being stepped up

Meanwhile, police and the Islamabad district administration have stepped up preparations for Imran’s possible transfer from Adiala jail to Shifa International Hospital.

Sources said that a meeting has been called at the Ministry of Interior to review security arrangements for the transfer.

Authorities are preparing a comprehensive security plan covering the route from Adiala jail to the hospital, as well as the area surrounding Shifa International Hospital.

Special security arrangements are expected along the transfer route, while the entry of unrelated persons around the hospital will be restricted.

Security agencies have been directed to remain on high alert in view of possible threats, while additional police personnel may be deployed during the transfer.

The Islamabad district administration and police are holding consultations to finalise the security arrangements, with all relevant institutions expected to be taken into confidence.

The Supreme Court has also specifically directed that no public gathering take place within the hospital premises, making crowd control and access restrictions a key part of the security plan.