ISLAMABAD- Pakistan’s jailed former prime minister Imran Khan is set to undergo specialized treatment for a serious eye condition following reported partial vision loss, as authorities move to comply with court-ordered medical oversight and mounting political pressure from his supporters and family.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said leading ophthalmologists will conduct a detailed examination at a specialized medical facility as part of Khan’s ongoing treatment that began in late January. A comprehensive report on his condition will be submitted to the Supreme Court of Pakistan, which recently ordered an independent medical evaluation amid concerns over his deteriorating eyesight.
Khan’s lawyer Salman Safdar told the court that the 73-year-old has lost roughly 85% of vision in his right eye, prompting judges to direct authorities to arrange urgent specialist care and facilitate contact with his family. Officials confirmed that a phone call between Khan and his sons has now taken place, with family members saying he was “extremely happy” to hear their voices after a long gap.
His sister, Aleema Khan, said the family is awaiting immediate treatment at an eye hospital under the supervision of Khan’s personal doctors and has urged authorities to ensure transparency and family presence during any procedures. She criticized the government for not consulting the family in advance regarding medical arrangements.
Supporters of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party have intensified protests in Islamabad and other cities, demanding his transfer from prison to a hospital for advanced care. Several PTI lawmakers and allies continue a sit-in outside parliament, framing the issue as both a humanitarian and political test for the government.
Khan has been imprisoned since 2023 following his conviction in a graft case and has faced multiple legal battles since his removal from office in April 2022 through a parliamentary no-confidence vote. He maintains that his ouster resulted from a foreign-backed conspiracy involving political rivals and former army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa claims denied by Washington, Pakistan’s military and his opponents.
Despite his incarceration, Khan remains Pakistan’s most influential opposition figure. PTI continues to press for his release, while the government insists legal processes are being followed. With his health now under judicial scrutiny, the handling of Khan’s treatment has become a renewed flashpoint in Pakistan’s volatile political landscape, WNN reported.
-Asif Munir
