The Islamabad High Court (IHC) took a significant step on Thursday by instructing the capital’s chief commissioner to establish a specialized medical board tasked with thoroughly assessing the health status of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan. This directive came as the court disposed of a petition that sought the transfer of Khan from prison to a private medical facility for treatment of a serious eye condition.
The petition had requested that Imran Khan be shifted to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad to receive specialized care for his diagnosed ailment. The case was heard by a division bench of the IHC, consisting of Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir and Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro. The court’s decision underscores the importance of a fresh and comprehensive medical evaluation, despite previous examinations conducted during Khan’s incarceration.
Imran Khan has been diagnosed with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), a severe eye disorder characterized by the blockage of the main vein responsible for draining blood from the retina. This condition can lead to vision impairment and is often linked to underlying cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, elevated cholesterol levels, diabetes, and heart disease. The diagnosis was highlighted in a report submitted to the Supreme Court by Khan’s legal counsel and the court-appointed amicus curiae, Salman Safdar.
In its detailed three-page written order, the IHC emphasized the urgency of forming a new medical board to conduct an independent and updated examination of Khan’s health. The court specified that the board should include two leading ophthalmology experts: Dr. Muhammad Arif Khan, who heads the ophthalmology department at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad, and Professor Dr. Nadeem Qureshi, the head of the vitreo-retina department at Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital in Rawalpindi. This panel is expected to provide an expert and unbiased assessment of Khan’s condition.
The court further instructed that the medical board submit its findings and recommendations promptly to the chief commissioner of Islamabad. Based on this expert evaluation, the chief commissioner will then decide, in line with existing laws and prison regulations, whether Imran Khan should continue receiving treatment within the prison premises or be transferred to a hospital outside the jail for further care.
While the court acknowledged the seriousness of Khan’s medical condition, it rejected the plea to transfer him to a private hospital at this stage. The bench clarified that under the Pakistan Prison Rules, the authority to move a convicted prisoner outside prison for specialized medical treatment lies exclusively with the government. The court also noted that its jurisdiction under Section 561-A of the Criminal Procedure Code does not extend to overriding executive decisions in such matters.
It is worth noting that Imran Khan has already undergone multiple medical examinations since his incarceration, with documented assessments on January 16, January 24, February 2, and February 20, 2026. Reports from the superintendent of Central Prison Rawalpindi indicate that Khan has shown some improvement during this period. The newly formed medical board will supplement these ongoing treatment efforts rather than replace them.
Additionally, the court addressed concerns related to Khan’s access to legal counsel and family visits. It reiterated that a larger bench of the IHC had previously ruled on these matters in an order dated March 24, 2025, and directed that the protocols established in that ruling be strictly followed. The court emphasized that prison authorities must keep Khan’s family informed about his health condition in accordance with jail regulations and maintain communication through Dr. Qureshi, who is to remain in contact with the family regarding medical updates.
Imran Khan has been taken twice to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) from Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail for treatment of his right eye. His most recent hospital visit occurred on February 24, under tight security, for a scheduled follow-up examination. This marked his second trip to PIMS since late January. He is expected to receive the third injection in his treatment regimen on March 23, continuing the course aimed at managing his eye condition.
This latest judicial intervention highlights the delicate balance between ensuring adequate medical care for incarcerated individuals and adhering to legal and administrative frameworks governing prisoner treatment in Pakistan. The formation of the medical board is seen as a crucial step toward providing a transparent and expert evaluation of Imran Khan’s health, while the court maintains oversight without encroaching on executive authority.
