Shah Mahmood rushed to Punjab Institute of Cardiology after reported prison collapse

Family seeks comprehensive medical assessment, including CT scan

Senior PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi was on Tuesday transferred to Lahore's Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) after reportedly collapsing inside Kot Lakhpat jail, prompting his family to seek urgent medical investigations and treatment.

The former foreign minister's lawyer Rana Mudassar Umar confirmed the transfer on Tuesday, saying Qureshi had fainted and suffered a fall a few days earlier. His family has separately called for a CT scan and dental treatment, while the PTI's core committee has urged authorities to ensure his complete medical examination.

Qureshi is currently being kept under observation for 24 hours, after which doctors will decide whether he needs to be admitted to the hospital.

Read: ATC extends Qureshi's bail in several cases

His counsel said Qureshi was taken to PIC today after he fainted and suffered a fall a few days ago, adding that an application had been in the anti-terrorism court but the issue was delayed due to holidays.

He added that Qureshi was being kept under observation for 24 hours, “after which it will be decided whether he has to be admitted to the hospital”.

The hospital transfer comes after repeated expressions of concern by Qureshi's family over his condition in prison. Last week, his daughter Meher Bano said in a post on X that she had learnt about her father's fall from family members who met him at Kot Lakhpat jail.

I learnt of my father Shah Mahmood Qureshi's fall from family after they met him in Kot Lakhpat jail today.

Three and half years ago a hale and hearty lion heart was sent to jail on trumped up charges. He not only fought the cypher case with resolve and courage but refused to…

— Meher Bano Qureshi (@MeherBanoQ) November 4, 2026

“Three-and-a-half years ago a hale and hearty lion heart was sent to jail on trumped-up charges … For over two years, he has been in Kot Lakhpat jail now facing ludicrous and false charges relating to May 9. He has been acquitted multiple times but [remains] behind bars due to the government’s mala fides,” she alleged.

Qureshi's son, Zain, said on Wednesday that his father had told him during a jail meeting that he collapsed while walking inside his barracks.

Seeking further medical intervention, he urged the prison authorities to arrange a CT scan and specialised dental treatment.

“I request the prison authorities to immediately arrange for a CT scan so that his health condition can be thoroughly assessed. Furthermore, he should be taken to a qualified dentist for the treatment of a cracked tooth,” he said on X.

آج کوٹ لکھپت جیل میں والد مخدوم شاہ محمود قریشی سے ملاقات ہوئی۔ ملاقات کے دوران والد صاحب نے بتایا کہ جیل کی بیرک کے احاطے میں چہل قدمی کرتے ہوئے اچانک بے ہوش ہو کر گر پڑے تھے۔

جیل میں ان کا بلڈ ٹیسٹ لیا گیا ہے۔ اس کی روشنی میں میری جیل حکام سے درخواست ہے کہ والد صاحب کا فوری…

— Zain Hussain Qureshi (@ZainHQ) November 4, 2026

The PTI's core committee had also raised concerns over Qureshi's condition at a meeting on November 6, expressing alarm over his fall and its possible impact on his health.

It called on the relevant courts, the government and the prison administration to ensure his immediate transfer to a hospital, followed by a complete medical examination and necessary treatment.

The PTI vice-president is facing several charges related to the May 9, 2023 riots. In July 2024, he was indicted by an anti-terrorism court in a case concerning the alleged attack and arson at Shadman police station.

Previously held at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, Qureshi was moved to Kot Lakhpat Jail last year due to logistical concerns over frequent court appearances in Lahore.

Earlier this year, an anti-terrorism court acquitted Qureshi in the May 9 case involving the arson of police vehicles in Mughalpura. However, he remains in jail in connection with other cases, including those related to rioting.