Islamabad Inspector General of Police Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi visited the hospital with senior police officers to review security arrangements ahead of the expected transfer.
The Supreme Court had ordered on Tuesday that the former prime minister be shifted to the hospital within two days for medical assessment and treatment. The federal government, however, filed a review petition challenging the decision.
Heavy police contingents have been deployed outside the hospital, while vehicles parked along nearby roads have been removed as part of the security arrangements.
According to PTI sources, Imran is expected to reach Shifa International Hospital before midnight. Authorities have also informed PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan about the planned transfer.
An Islamabad Police squad, along with traffic and elite police teams, has also reached Adiala Jail.
Bani Gala transfer 'premature'
PTI Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja said it was too early to say whether Imran would eventually be moved from hospital to his Bani Gala residence.
He said any building could be declared a sub-jail if required and that the option could be considered if doctors determined that returning Imran to prison would be harmful to his health.
Raja said a report submitted to the court indicated that jail conditions were causing anxiety for the PTI founder. He added that a medical board would decide whether Imran should return to prison or be shifted elsewhere.
Bukhari says Imran would not confront military leadership
Zulfi Bukhari, a close aide to Imran Khan, told Reuters that the former prime minister would not confront the Pakistan Army or Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir if released.
Bukhari described the Supreme Court's decision as a "new ray of hope" and said PTI would comply with the court's direction that party workers and leaders not gather outside the hospital.
He also said senior PTI leaders who had gone into hiding could emerge and help organise mobilisation if Imran were released.
Government challenges SC order
In its review petition, the federal government argued that the Supreme Court's order to transfer Imran to a private hospital exceeded its jurisdiction and conflicted with existing prison rules.
The government maintained that prisoners transferred to hospitals remain under police supervision and referred to Rule 197 of the Pakistan Prison Rules, 1978.
It also argued that Imran had regularly undergone medical examinations and that the court should have sought the opinion of medical experts before ordering his transfer.
Supreme Court order
The Supreme Court's August 18 order directed Adiala Jail authorities to transfer Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital for medical assessment and treatment within two days.
The court also ordered the formation of a medical board and directed that Dr Uzma and Imran's personal physician be present during his assessment and treatment. His family was ordered to bear the medical expenses.
Authorities were instructed to make the necessary arrangements and transfer the former prime minister under tight security. The court also warned that facilities being provided to Imran could be withdrawn if its directions were violated.
