 "Could Pakistan’s Imran Khan lose vision because of eye condition?")
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s health is said to be deteriorating in prison.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is warning that Imran is suffering from a serious issue with his eyes and that he could permanently lose his vision. Imran has been behind bars since August 2023. He is currently imprisoned at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi in the Al-Qadir Trust corruption case.
But what happened? What do we know?
Let’s take a closer look.
‘Physical condition deteriorated sharply’
_News18_ quoted top sources in Adiala Jail as saying that Imran’s physical health has deteriorated sharply over the past few months. Imran has not had any contact with his family or his lawyers since December.
The source claimed that Imran is suffering from a severe eye infection and allergic reactions. These have been exacerbated by Rawalpindi’s harsh, dry winter. Imran was examined by medical teams from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) inside the jail. The teams have said Imran may be suffering from Central Retinal Vein Occlusion, a disorder that requires specialised treatment and could potentially result in the loss of his vision.
While the doctors have begun treating Imran, they have said that the prison does not have the facilities needed to conduct a full ophthalmological evaluation. While a follow-up medical exam is slated for January 31, sources say any delay could result in Imran’s eyesight being damaged in the long term.
According to The Independent, Imran has gone over 100 days without meeting his legal team. This is despite him facing more than 100 cases across multiple courts. Syed Zulfiqar Bukhari, a senior aide and spokesperson for the PTI, told the newspaper that the situation was “heartbreaking” and deliberate.
“It is absurd that he is denied access to his lawyers while the authorities continue to pursue case after case against him,” Bukhari said. “They do not want any communication with Imran Khan because whenever he speaks, it creates enormous public attention.”
“There is no rule of law. Nothing is being done according to any meaningful justice system,” Bukhari added.
Meanwhile, his sisters joined PTI supporters outside Adiala Jail. Noreen Khanum said they had not been informed about the issue with the eye. “If this is true, we should have been informed so that we could have taken him to hospital for treatment,” she said, as per news agency ANI.
Aleema Khanum said jail authorities had not kept either Imran’s family or team in the loop. “So who has leaked this news?” she queried.
“Imran Khan is a patriotic leader with firm faith in Allah. He has been in prison for two-and-a-half years; he promised the nation that he would not leave through any ‘deal’, and he is keeping that promise,” Aleema said, as per News18.
“It is essential for the Pakistani nation to stand up for themselves because Imran Khan is sitting in jail for them… A student, Najam, was picked up merely for mentioning the name of the PTI founder… Women were pushed and shoved; if this is what is happening to us, what must be the plight of the common people?” asked Aleema.
PTI claimed that Aleema was halted by police while returning from the jail, a charge backed up by the opposition alliance Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan.
PTI raises alarm
The PTI is sounding the alarm over Imran’s health.
The party, citing media reports by “credible journalistic sources”, said that Imran has been diagnosed with central retinal vein occlusion in his right eye, demanded that he be shifted to a hospital of his choice for treatment, and allowed to meet his friends and family.
“According to medical experts who reportedly checked him in jail, this is an extremely sensitive and serious medical condition which, if not treated promptly and properly, carries a high risk of permanent damage to his eyesight,” the party said.
“According to doctors, the condition is highly sensitive and serious, and there is a strong risk of permanent damage to eyesight if timely and appropriate treatment is not provided,” the party claimed.
It also alleged that jail authorities were insisting on carrying out treatment inside the prison, despite doctors having clearly stated that such treatment was not possible within jail premises and required an operation and specialised medical facilities.
The party claimed orders from the Islamabad High Court directing that Imran be medically examined were being ignored. The PTI claimed Imran has not met his personal doctor since October 2024. It noted that a petition seeking regular medical check-ups had been pending since August 2025.
“This is a blatant violation of court orders and a gross breach of fundamental human rights,” the statement read. “The government’s conduct clearly demonstrates that, in its obsession with political vendetta, it is willing to gamble with the life and health of a prisoner.”
“Imran was last granted access to his personal physician in October 2024, and since then, despite clear orders from the Islamabad High Court, his personal doctor has not been allowed to examine him,” the PTI statement read.
PTI accused the government of political victimisation, endangering the life and health of a prisoner in pursuit of political revenge, and demanded that Khan be allowed an immediate meeting with his family members and associates.
“The government is urged to facilitate an immediate meeting between Khan and his family members and associates, without any delay, to reassure the public, and to allow him to receive treatment either at Shaukat Khanum Hospital or any other reputable hospital of his choice, where specialised doctors can provide care with full medical facilities,” the statement read.
The party also urged the judiciary to take notice of the matter, stressing that it concerned health rather than politics and that any negligence would be unacceptable.
“If, God forbid, Imran Khan were to suffer any permanent damage to his eyesight, full responsibility would rest directly with the government and jail authorities for obstructing treatment despite court orders,” it added.
Separately, PTI chairman Gohar Khan filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC), urging the court for permission to meet Khan in jail.
Gohar told the media that Tuesdays were designated for meetings with Khan, but no such meetings were being allowed.
“We are coming to this High Court for the 16th time. We have filed an application signed by all PTI MNAs (Members of the National Assembly), requesting the court to kindly arrange our meeting with Khan sahib,” he said.
He said that efforts were also made to meet the IHC Chief Justice, but without any success. He added that a message had been conveyed to the IHC Chief Justice, requesting that hearings related to Bushra Bibi and Khan be fixed.
He also expressed concerns about the health of Khan and Bushra Bibi. “We are concerned about Khan sahib’s health, his conditions in detention, and the situation of Bushra Bibi,” Gohar said.
With inputs from agencies
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