The jailed former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, was rushed to hospital from his prison cell for urgent medical treatment amid concerns that an untreated eye condition could lead to permanent blindness.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the political party headed by Khan, has accused the prison authorities of denying him urgent hospital treatment despite long running complaints related to his medical needs.
Khan was taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad last weekend for medical assessment and treatment on the advice of doctors. He was then returned to the prison after the procedure.
Khan, 72, has been held at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi since August 2023 following his arrest in multiple cases after his removal from office in 2022.
He remains Pakistan’s most popular political figure but has been largely cut off from the public, media and regular family contact.
Serious eye condition reported
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the opposition party said it had received credible reports that Khan was suffering from a “serious eye condition” requiring specialised treatment that cannot be provided inside prison.
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According to the PTI, medical examinations conducted inside the jail indicated that Khan had been diagnosed with central retinal vein occlusion in his right eye.
Central retinal vein occlusion occurs when a major vein in the retina becomes blocked, restricting blood flow and potentially leading to permanent vision loss if not treated promptly. Eye specialists say the condition usually requires advanced imaging, injections or surgical procedures available only in well-equipped hospitals.
“This is an extremely sensitive and serious medical condition. If not treated immediately and properly, it carries a high risk of irreversible damage to his eyesight.”
The party alleged that despite clear medical advice, jail authorities were insisting that treatment be carried out within the prison facility.
The PTI said the attending specialist had informed officials that proper treatment requires an operation theatre and specialised equipment not available inside Adiala Jail.
Demand for hospital transfer
The party demanded that Khan be transferred immediately to a hospital of his own choice, including Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital in Lahore, the charitable institution he founded.
It also called for unrestricted meetings between Khan and his family and political associates, saying prolonged isolation had created uncertainty about his health.
According to PTI, Khan last met his personal physician in October 2024, despite Islamabad High Court orders directing that regular medical check-ups be permitted.
A separate petition seeking routine medical examinations has been pending since August 2025.
“This is a blatant violation of court orders and a gross breach of fundamental human rights,” the party said.
“If there is permanent damage to Imran Khan’s eyesight, the federal government and the Adiala Jail administration will bear full responsibility.”
Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital also issued a statement expressing concern over the former prime minister’s health.
“While we have confidence in the professionalism of the physicians currently looking after him, we request that a team from Shaukat Khanum Hospital be given immediate access to participate in his care,” the hospital said.
It added that such access would help reassure the public and ensure treatment under appropriate medical supervision.
Allegations of harassment
Khan’s sisters said they had not been officially informed about any serious medical diagnosis.
Speaking outside Adiala Jail during a protest on Tuesday, Khan’s sister Noreen Khanum questioned how reports of an eye condition had emerged without the family being notified.
“If this is true, we should have been informed so that we could have taken him to the hospital,” she said, adding that rumours were being circulated without transparency.
Another sister, Aleema Khanum, said neither jail authorities nor government officials were sharing information with the family or Khan’s legal team.
“No one is telling us anything. Who leaked this news? Can this happen without the involvement of an institution?” she asked.
A third sister, Uzma Khanum, said she last allowed to meet her brother on December 2, 2025, for only 20 minutes.
“He said nothing about his eyesight,” she said, adding that during an earlier meeting he had complained of an infection in his right eye and was only provided eye drops.
Later on Tuesday night, PTI alleged that Aleema Khanum was stopped by police while returning from Adiala Jail.
The opposition alliance Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan claimed that Khan’s sisters were wrongfully confined during their return journey, describing the incident as political intimidation. The alliance demanded legal action against those responsible.
Separately, several PTI lawmakers arrived at the Islamabad High Court to file a fresh petition seeking permission to meet Khan.
PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and senior party leaders completed biometric verification to submit the application.
Speaking to journalists, Gohar said Tuesdays were designated for prison meetings but court orders were repeatedly being ignored.
He expressed concern over the health of both Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi, saying the right to meet a prisoner was guaranteed under Pakistani law.
Gohar reiterated PTI’s call for nationwide protests on February 8, including shutter-down strikes and transport shutdowns.
In a separate development, an additional district and sessions judge extended interim bail to Khan in five cases related to the May 9 unrest and to Bushra Bibi in a Toshakhana-related case.
Khan could not be presented before the court either physically or via video link, prompting the judge to adjourn proceedings. Interim bail was extended until February 6.
