In a significant legal development, former Prime Minister Imran Khan has formally approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) requesting an urgent transfer to Shifa International Hospital for specialised treatment of his deteriorating eye condition. The petition highlights serious concerns over the management of his medical care while in custody, emphasizing the secrecy surrounding his examinations and the exclusion of his family and personal doctors from the process.
The application was submitted on Monday by senior lawyer Sardar Latif Khosa, who represents Khan in this matter. It accuses prison authorities of conducting medical check-ups without informing Khan’s close relatives, his trusted physicians, or his legal representatives, raising questions about transparency and the adequacy of the healthcare being provided. This move comes after Khan’s health reportedly worsened significantly during his incarceration at Adiala Jail, where he has been held since August 2023.
It is important to note that this is not the first time Khan’s medical treatment has become a subject of judicial scrutiny. Earlier, on February 25, a similar petition was filed before the Supreme Court following a government-arranged follow-up consultation for his eye condition. However, the Supreme Court had deferred the matter, instructing that any complaints regarding his health be addressed first by the Islamabad High Court, where his appeal against the trial court’s conviction is currently pending.
The petition details alarming medical facts about Khan’s condition, stating that the 73-year-old former premier has completely lost vision in one eye and retains only about 15 percent sight in the other. This severe impairment has raised urgent concerns about his well-being and the necessity for specialised treatment that the petitioners argue can only be adequately provided at Shifa International Hospital, a facility known for its advanced medical services.
Further underscoring the gravity of the situation, the petition references a report submitted to the Supreme Court by amicus curiae Barrister Salman Safdar. The report highlighted that despite Khan’s repeated complaints of blurred and hazardous vision, prison authorities allegedly failed to provide timely and appropriate medical care. This negligence, as claimed, has contributed to the worsening of his eyesight, which could have serious long-term consequences if not addressed promptly.
The application also raises specific concerns about a medical examination conducted on February 15 inside Central Jail, Rawalpindi. It asserts that this examination was carried out without prior notification to Khan’s family, personal doctors Dr Faisal Sultan and Dr Asim Yousaf, or his legal team, thereby denying them the opportunity to monitor his health closely. Additionally, Khan was transferred to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) on February 23 for further procedures, again without allowing access to his trusted medical professionals or family members.
This case has drawn widespread attention, not only because of Khan’s political stature but also due to the broader implications it holds for the treatment of prisoners and the transparency of medical care within the prison system. The Islamabad High Court’s decision on this petition will be closely watched, as it could set important precedents regarding prisoners’ rights to adequate healthcare and family involvement during medical treatment.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court’s earlier directive on February 12, 2026, had adjourned related petitions indefinitely, emphasizing that any grievances related to Khan’s health should be first addressed in the high court where his appeal is underway. This procedural stance has now brought the focus squarely onto the Islamabad High Court to take immediate cognizance of the former prime minister’s deteriorating medical condition and the concerns raised about his treatment in custody.
