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Former Pakistan President Arif Alvi raised concerns over Imran Khan’s deteriorating health, citing “alarming” medical reports. He called for Khan’s immediate hospitalisation.
Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan. (Image: AP)
Former Pakistan President Arif Alvi on Tuesday raised concerns over jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s deteriorating health, saying his medical reports were “alarming” and calling for his immediate transfer to a hospital under the supervision of an independent panel of doctors.
In a post on X, Alvi said: “Imran Khan’s medical reports are alarming. I have gone through them with several specialists, and I am writing this in plain language so every Pakistani can understand exactly what is happening.”
Alvi said that the major issues of concern are Khan’s “anxiety and stress levels”, “palpitations”, and “high blood pressure”. He further said that though the report fails to mention sleep apnoea, Khan’s medication appeared to suggest the problem.
عمران خان کی طبی رپورٹس تشویشناک ہیں۔ میں نے کئی ماہرین سے مل کر ان کا جائزہ لیا ہے، اور یہ سادہ الفاظ میں لکھ رہا ہوں تاکہ ہر پاکستانی سمجھ سکے کہ اصل صورتحال کیا ہے۔ترتیب کے لحاظ سے جو چیز مجھے سب سے زیادہ پریشان کر رہی ہے وہ ہے ان کی ذہنی دباؤ اور اضطراب کی کیفیت ہے، دل کی… pic.twitter.com/IoDwXiKkYw
— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) August 17, 2026
“I have known Imran Khan for more than 35 years. Stress was never his weakness. That is how at peak levels while you everything about what these years of imprisonment and total isolation have done to him,” he said.
Alvi Flags Imran’s Heart Rate
Attributing Khan’s stress to the political situation in Pakistan, his prolonged imprisonment and isolation, the deaths of colleagues and restricted access to newspapers, books and information from outside, Alvi also flagged concerns over the former PM’s heart rate.
“His heart rate is 54 bpm. Doctors will call that ‘normal.’ It is not normal for him,” Alvi said, adding that Khan had also reported heart palpitations.
Alvi called for immediate cardiac monitoring, saying Khan “needs a 24-hour Holter monitor immediately”. He further recommended regular blood pressure monitoring and tests, which included a stress test, echocardiogram, cardiac MRI, cardiac artery calcium scan and cardiac CT angiogram.
“I am deeply worried. Isolation is taking a physical toll on his body. If this is not addressed immediately, the damage may become irreversible with more complications to follow,” Alvi said.
‘Imran Khan Needs To Be Hospitalised’
He appealed that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder be shifted to a hospital and said, “Imran Khan definitely needs to be moved to a hospital environment now, under an independent panel of doctors.”
“Neither his family nor the people of Pakistan trust government-appointed doctors alone,” he added.
“The next three months will decide whether his condition is reversed or becomes permanent,” Alvi said. He further added, “We all are alarmed. The country needs him more than ever before.”
As Khan remains imprisoned, his sons – Sulaiman Khan and Kasim Khan – have raised the issue of their father’s limited access to his family, lawyers and doctors.
“We have no updates because his family, doctors and lawyers haven’t been allowed to see him for seven months,” they said to CNN earlier this month.
The concerns come amid nationwide demonstrations by Khan’s supporters, who have demanded the release of the former prime minister and his wife, Bushra Bibi.
Imran Khan’s Political Journey
Khan was removed as Pakistan’s prime minister in April 2022 after losing a parliamentary no-confidence vote. He was arrested in 2023 and has since remained in prison in connection with multiple cases, including corruption and the alleged disclosure of state secrets.
Since his ouster, Khan and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party have maintained that the legal cases against him are politically driven and intended to keep him out of electoral politics.
Khan had also launched a nationwide campaign against the government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, alleging that his removal was the result of a conspiracy involving the Pakistani military and the United States.
The allegations triggered a political crackdown on PTI, with several of its leaders and supporters arrested or facing legal action. The party was subsequently excluded from contesting the 2024 general elections, while Khan remained in jail as he continued to challenge the cases against him.
Key Questions Answered
Ask News18The long-term health risks for Imran Khan are not explicitly detailed in the current reporting. However, former President Arif Alvi stated that the next three months will determine if his current condition reverses or becomes permanent.
Ask News18About the Author
Prisha is the Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com, with more than 10 years of experience in national and international news. She specialises in editorial leadership, sharp news judgment, and high-impact st…Read More
Islamabad, Pakistan
August 18, 2026, 11:21 IST
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