Shah Mahmood Qureshi shifted to Lahore hospital for medical tests

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi was shifted from Kot Lakhpat Jail to the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) in Lahore for medical tests after recently falling ill in custody on Tuesday, sources said.

Qureshi had become dizzy and collapsed while walking inside his barrack a few days ago, sustaining injuries to his knee and arm, according to the sources.

Jail authorities subsequently collected his blood samples and sent them to Shaukat Khanum Hospital for testing.

His transfer to PIC comes amid renewed concern over his health. PTI’s core committee had earlier called for Qureshi to be moved to hospital for a comprehensive medical examination following the fall.

Qureshi has previously required treatment while in custody. In May 2025, he was taken to the Punjab Institute of Cardiology after complaining of chest pain and shortness of breath. It was reported at the time that doctors kept him under observation before he was returned to jail.

Where do his May 9 cases stand?

Qureshi remains incarcerated in connection with cases stemming from the May 9, 2023 protests, which broke out after former prime minister Imran Khan’s arrest and saw attacks on military and government installations across the country.

He has since secured acquittals or bail in several cases. In October, jailed PTI leaders said Qureshi had been acquitted in six May 9 cases and granted bail in others, while decisions remained pending on two post-arrest bail applications.

One of the pending pleas relates to the alleged burning of police vehicles near Lahore’s Jinnah House under FIR 108/23, registered at Sarwar Road Police Station.

An anti-terrorism court heard the matter again on November 7, but proceedings were delayed after the prosecution failed to produce the case record and sought additional time.

Judge Manzar Ali Gul directed the prosecution to present the record at the next hearing, fixed for November 14. Qureshi’s defence has accused prosecutors of repeatedly delaying a decision on his bail.

GHQ attack case also delayed

Qureshi is also among those accused in the May 9 case relating to the attack on General Headquarters in Rawalpindi.

Proceedings in that case were adjourned on November 6 for the 15th time, with the next hearing fixed for November 19 after the video-link system required for the trial remained non-functional. His attendance was marked through jail authorities.

Qureshi’s earlier 10-year conviction in the cipher case is no longer the basis for his detention after the Islamabad High Court overturned the sentence in June 2024.

His immediate legal position therefore continues to depend largely on the unresolved May 9 proceedings and pending bail applications.