The Supreme Court on Thursday directed authorities to constitute a medical team to examine former prime minister Imran Khan’s eye condition and ordered that he be allowed to speak with his children before February 16.
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The directives were issued by a two-member bench comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi and Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan during the hearing of a case concerning the PTI founder’s living conditions at Adiala Jail.
The court instructed that both the medical examination and the telephone calls be arranged before February 16. However, it rejected a request seeking the presence of Khan’s family members during the medical assessment of his eye, following a procedure he underwent on January 24.
“The issue of Imran’s health is most important,” CJP Afridi observed, noting that judicial intervention was necessary. He also sought the government’s stance on the matter, to which Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan responded that it was the state’s responsibility to provide medical care to prisoners. He added that if a prisoner was not satisfied, the state would take appropriate measures.
The chief justice further emphasized the importance of facilitating telephone contact between Khan and his children, expressing confidence in the government’s cooperation.
Regarding the provision of books to the former premier, the attorney general said the matter would be addressed after consultation with eye specialists.
During the proceedings, the court reviewed reports submitted by PTI counsel Advocate Salman Safdar and the Adiala Jail superintendent. The chief justice remarked that both reports largely described the facilities and living conditions as satisfactory. He added that the matter of family visits was already pending before the Islamabad High Court and should be decided by the relevant forum.
Imran Claims Vision Loss
In a seven-page report submitted to the apex court after meeting Khan at Adiala Jail, Advocate Safdar stated that the former premier claimed he had lost significant vision in his right eye.
According to the report, Khan said he previously had normal 6/6 vision in both eyes until October 2025, after which he experienced persistent blurred vision. He alleged that despite repeated complaints to jail authorities, no timely action was taken. He later suffered a sudden loss of vision in his right eye and was examined by a Pims Hospital ophthalmologist, who diagnosed a blood clot.
Khan claimed that despite receiving treatment, including an injection, his vision in the affected eye had reduced to 15 per cent. Safdar noted that Khan appeared visibly distressed and uncomfortable during their meeting.
The report also quoted Khan as alleging that regular blood tests were not conducted and that his personal physicians were not allowed access during the deterioration of his condition. He further claimed that for nearly three months he was treated only with eye drops before experiencing major vision impairment. Additionally, Khan said he had not received dental care despite repeated requests.
Jail authorities informed Safdar that Khan was under the care of a Pims ophthalmologist and that his vital signs were recorded three times daily.
Medical Report Submitted
A separate medical report dated February 6, signed by Pims Executive Director Prof Dr Rana Imran Sikander, was also submitted to the Supreme Court. It stated that Khan reported reduced vision in his right eye and was diagnosed with right central retinal vein occlusion after a comprehensive examination, including OCT and other tests.
The report confirmed that Khan was brought to Pims on the night of January 24 for an anti-VEGF intravitreal injection, which was administered after informed consent. The procedure was completed without complications.
However, Safdar observed that the medical note did not provide complete details of the episodes or identify the ophthalmologist who conducted the examination and treatment.
The court is expected to review further developments in the matter after the implementation of its directives.
