A fresh medical evaluation of former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has been successfully carried out at Adiala jail. This comprehensive health check was conducted by a newly constituted medical board consisting of five specialist doctors and supporting medical personnel. The initiative came in response to directives issued by the Islamabad High Court (IHC), which had earlier mandated a detailed assessment of Khan’s medical condition while in custody.
It is worth noting that Imran Khan has been diagnosed with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), a serious and potentially sight-threatening eye disorder. This diagnosis was officially presented in a report submitted to the Supreme Court by Khan’s legal counsel and the court’s amicus curiae, Salman Safdar. CRVO occurs when the primary vein responsible for draining blood from the retina becomes obstructed, often linked to underlying cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, elevated cholesterol levels, diabetes, and other heart-related ailments.
On Wednesday, the medical team, which included five doctors alongside their medical support staff, conducted a meticulous two-hour examination focusing on Khan’s affected eye. The assessment involved detailed clinical evaluations and diagnostic procedures to determine the extent of the condition and to recommend an appropriate treatment plan. The jail administration issued a statement confirming that the Islamabad chief commissioner had officially formed this new medical board to oversee the health evaluation of the former prime minister during his incarceration.
The medical panel comprises distinguished specialists, including ENT expert Professor Altaf Hussain, cardiologist Professor Akhtar Ali Bandesha, Dr. Muhammad Ali Arif, and Professor Nadeem Qureshi from Al-Shifa Eye Hospital. This diverse team brings together expertise from multiple medical disciplines to ensure a holistic review of Khan’s health status. The board is expected to submit a comprehensive report detailing their findings and recommendations to the chief commissioner in the near future.
Last week, the Islamabad High Court had directed the chief commissioner of the capital to establish this medical board, following a petition that sought Khan’s transfer to a private healthcare facility for specialized eye treatment. The petition specifically requested his admission to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad. However, the court rejected this plea, emphasizing that the medical board’s assessment would guide any decisions regarding Khan’s treatment location.
The division bench, comprising Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir and Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro, issued a detailed three-page order instructing the medical board to expedite its recommendations. Based on the report, the chief commissioner will determine, in accordance with legal provisions and prison regulations, whether Khan should continue receiving treatment within the jail premises or be transferred to an external medical facility.
Meanwhile, the court underscored the importance of keeping Khan’s family informed about any serious developments in his health condition. It reiterated that prison authorities are obligated to notify relatives promptly should any critical medical issues arise. The ruling also clarified that while Section 561-A of the Criminal Procedure Code addresses prisoner transfers, it does not supersede the executive authority vested in the government to move prisoners for specialized medical care under Pakistan Prison Rules.
In addition, the court reaffirmed that Khan must be allowed to maintain regular contact with his lawyers and family members, as previously ordered by a larger bench. Dr. Nadeem Qureshi has been designated as the key medical liaison to ensure continuous communication with Khan’s family throughout the treatment process.
Prior to this recent examination, Imran Khan had been taken twice from Adiala jail to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad for treatment related to his right eye. His most recent hospital visit occurred on February 24 under stringent security arrangements for a scheduled follow-up checkup. This marked his second trip to PIMS since late January. Khan is anticipated to receive the third injection in his ongoing treatment regimen on March 23, as part of efforts to manage his CRVO condition effectively.
As the situation develops, all eyes remain on the forthcoming medical board report, which will play a crucial role in determining the next steps for the former prime minister’s healthcare management while he remains in custody.
