ISLAMABAD-Pakistan’s Supreme Court on August 18 ordered authorities to transfer jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan to Islamabad’s Shifa International Hospital for a comprehensive medical examination within the next few days.

A three-member Supreme Court bench led by Justice Shahid Waheed issued the order while hearing petitions seeking Khan’s hospitalization and meetings with his family.

“Mindful of the fundamental right, we are issuing this order to ensure the health and safety of the prisoner,” leading Pakistani daily Dawn quoted Waheed as saying.

It also directed authorities to allow weekly meetings between Khan and his family members and ordered the formation of a medical board that would include his personal physician and his sister, Uzma Khan.

Dr Akhtar Ali Bandeshah of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) examined Khan on August 1 and recorded complaints of uncontrolled and fluctuating blood pressure, palpitations, headache and restlessness.

Khan reportedly attributed some of his symptoms and stress to limited meetings with his wife, family and social contacts, as well as restricted access to newspapers and television.

The doctor recommended measures to reduce his mental stress, including more frequent meetings with his wife and access to reading material. He also advised a CT coronary angiography and an increase in his blood pressure medication, warning that the 74-year-old PTI leader was at risk of developing complications. (IANS)