The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has once again voiced strong objections regarding the handling of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s medical treatment, highlighting what it calls a troubling lack of transparency surrounding his recent hospital visit. In the early hours of Tuesday, Imran Khan was taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for a follow-up procedure related to an eye condition, sparking renewed political tensions and accusations of secrecy from the opposition party.
Hospital officials confirmed that the former premier received a second dose of an anti-VEGF intravitreal injection on February 24, a treatment aimed at addressing his right central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). This condition, which affects the retinal vein and can lead to vision problems, was first publicly disclosed in late January. Imran Khan had undergone the initial injection on January 24, a fact that was officially acknowledged by the government several days later. The latest injection is part of a continuing medical regimen intended to manage his eye ailment.
However, the timing and manner of this medical visit have intensified the ongoing political dispute between PTI and the current government. PTI leaders and members of Imran Khan’s family have expressed serious concerns about the late-night hospital transfer, questioning why such a procedure was conducted under the cover of darkness and without prior notification. The party’s official social media account emphasized the need for openness, stating that the situation “demands transparency, not secrecy,” and warned that clandestine actions only fuel suspicion and mistrust.
In response, PTI reiterated its longstanding demand that Imran Khan be moved to Shifa International Hospital, where he could receive what they describe as independent and transparent medical care. The party insists that any treatment should be conducted in the presence of his personal doctors and family members to ensure accountability and proper oversight. A video circulated by PTI purportedly shows a convoy traveling at night, allegedly returning from PIMS, though independent verification of the convoy’s occupants remains unavailable.
PTI chairman Gohar Ali Khan expressed frustration over the lack of prior communication regarding the hospital visit. He revealed that he was informed through a message at 2 a.m. about the injection, underscoring that the family and party were kept in the dark until after the procedure. He stressed that such secrecy is unjustifiable and that informing the family beforehand could have prevented the ensuing controversy. Gohar Ali Khan reiterated the party’s call for Imran Khan’s treatment to be conducted at Shifa International Hospital under the supervision of his trusted medical team.
Other PTI leaders also questioned the rationale behind conducting the hospital transfer during nighttime hours. Ali Muhammad Khan pointed out that if the medical reports were accurate and transparent, there should have been no need for secrecy. Imran Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, expressed similar concerns, revealing that the family only learned about the hospital visit through media coverage. She highlighted that, under legal requirements, the family must be informed prior to any medical procedure performed on a prisoner, a protocol she claims was ignored in this case.
Aleema Khan further voiced distrust towards the government medical facilities, alleging that doctors at PIMS might be under pressure not to disclose full information about her brother’s condition. While these claims have not been officially confirmed, they have added to the growing unease within PTI and among the former prime minister’s supporters. The hashtag #WhatAreTheyHiding has trended on social media, reflecting widespread public curiosity and concern over the opaque handling of Imran Khan’s health.
It is important to note that Tuesdays and Thursdays are designated days for family members and lawyers to visit Imran Khan at Adiala Jail. On Tuesday, his sisters Aleema, Noreen Niazi, and Uzma Khan attempted to visit him but were reportedly stopped by police at Dahgal Naka, PTI. During this visit, Noreen Niazi reportedly slipped and fell into a drain while heading to offer prayers, an incident that drew further attention to the difficulties faced by the family. Aleema Khan questioned why the family was allegedly being denied access if the authorities claim that Imran Khan is receiving proper medical care. She also revealed that her brother has been held in solitary confinement for over four months, with only limited opportunities for family visits.
Rejecting the official medical reports, Aleema Khan reiterated the demand for her brother’s treatment to be shifted to Shifa International Hospital, where his personal doctors and family members can be present. She also raised doubts about whether PIMS has the necessary facilities and expertise to manage the specific eye condition effectively. Former PTI MNA Omar Ayub Khan described the current treatment process, conducted without the presence of Imran Khan’s personal physicians, as “totally unacceptable” and called on the judiciary to intervene and ensure proper medical care.
Adding to the chorus of criticism, the Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-i-Ayin-i-Pakistan (TTAP) condemned the lack of prior notification about the hospital visit. TTAP spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain Yousafzai expressed regret that neither the family nor opposition leaders were informed beforehand. He mentioned reaching out to prominent opposition figures such as Mehmood Khan Achakzai and Raja Nasir Abbas, who were also unaware of the medical procedure. TTAP leaders have been staging protests outside the Supreme Court for two consecutive days, demanding an expedited hearing of Imran Khan’s cases and calling for his release.
In response to these allegations, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar addressed the Senate, explaining that the medical examination was carried out by a four-member board at PIMS. He clarified that the late-night timing was chosen for security and operational reasons, aiming to minimize disruption to hospital services and ensure routine patient care was not affected. The minister emphasized that decisions regarding bail, release, or foreign travel for a convicted prisoner fall under the jurisdiction of the courts, not the government.
Minister Tarar further stated that Imran Khan consented to the hospital visit and was examined by a medical board that included retinal specialist Dr. Nadeem Qureshi from Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital and Professor Arif, head of ophthalmology at PIMS. He assured that the board conducted a thorough assessment covering ophthalmological, cardiac, and general medical evaluations. The minister insisted that the entire process complied fully with the jail manual and existing legal provisions, underscoring the government’s stance that Article 25 of the Constitution guarantees equality before the law, and no special arrangements outside prescribed rules were allowed.
Later, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry confirmed that doctors had recommended the second injection after observing improvement following the initial treatment. He reported that the procedure was successfully completed and that Imran Khan was returned to Adiala Jail after receiving medical clearance. Despite these official statements, the controversy surrounding the timing, secrecy, and conditions of the former prime minister’s medical care continues to fuel political debate and public concern.
