On Wednesday, a distinguished team of medical professionals arrived at Adiala Jail to carry out an in-depth medical evaluation of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. This examination was ordered directly by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in response to mounting concerns over Khan’s deteriorating eye condition. The health status of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader has drawn significant attention after reports emerged about a serious retinal disorder affecting his vision.
Imran Khan has been diagnosed with Right Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO), a critical vascular disease that impairs blood flow in the retina, often leading to substantial vision loss. Although the diagnosis was officially confirmed in late January, Khan’s legal team has revealed that he has been experiencing progressive vision impairment since October of the previous year. This prolonged struggle with his eyesight has raised urgent questions about his medical care and the adequacy of treatment within the prison system.
The medical panel assigned to this task includes some of the country’s foremost experts from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and Al-Shifa Eye Trust Hospital. Among the specialists are Dr. Mohammad Arif, the head of Ophthalmology at PIMS, and Dr. Nadeem Qureshi, a highly respected retina specialist known for his expertise in complex eye conditions. Their involvement underscores the seriousness with which the court is approaching Khan’s health crisis.
During recent court hearings, Khan’s lawyers presented a stark picture of his condition, stating that the former prime minister has lost nearly 85 percent of vision in the affected eye. This alarming revelation prompted the Islamabad High Court’s division bench, led by Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir and Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro, to order a thorough medical assessment. The court’s objective is to determine whether Khan requires urgent transfer to Shifa International Hospital for advanced surgical intervention or if his condition can be managed within the prison’s medical facilities.
Meanwhile, the PTI leadership has been vocal on other pressing matters, particularly the recent assassination of Ali Larijani, the Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. PTI spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram expressed condolences to the Iranian government and highlighted Larijani’s role as a key figure in maintaining stability in the volatile Middle East region. Akram used this incident to draw parallels between regional unrest and Pakistan’s own political challenges, emphasizing the need for strong and visionary leadership at home.
In light of these developments, the PTI reiterated its demand for the immediate release of Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, arguing that their detention is politically motivated and unjust. The party insists that Khan remains a crucial unifying figure capable of guiding Pakistan through both domestic and international crises. As the nation awaits the medical board’s final report, the decision on whether Khan will continue to receive treatment inside Adiala Jail or be moved to a specialized healthcare facility remains pending.
