Imran Khan faces serious eye condition in jail that could cause permanent vision loss, PTI warns amid denied medical access. Govt doctors examined him; treatment debate continues.
Pakistan's former PM Imran Khan, 73, is facing growing health concerns after his political party raised the alarm about a serious eye condition that could lead to permanent vision loss if untreated. Pakistan Tehreek‑e‑Insaf (PTI) officials say Khan has been diagnosed with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), a dangerous blockage in the retinal vein of his right eye.
PTI claims that Khan has blurred vision and that prison authorities have denied him proper treatment and access to his personal doctor, placing his health in what the party called “grave danger.”
According to medical reports cited by PTI, Imran Khan’s condition is central retinal vein occlusion, which involves a blockage in the vein that drains blood from the retina. If not treated quickly and properly, this condition can destroy vision permanently in the affected eye.
In a post on social media, PTI spokesperson Sayed Zulfiqar Bukhari said, “This is a serious and rapidly escalating concern. Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO) requires immediate medical attention… Any further delay could result in irreversible harm.”
PTI has repeatedly demanded that Khan be allowed to receive treatment at a hospital of his choice and that his personal physicians be given unrestricted access to him.
PTI leaders, lawyers and Khan’s family members say they have been denied access to him for months, despite a court order that allowed biweekly visits by lawyers and relatives. They claim this is a violation of his fundamental rights and that being kept largely in solitary conditions has worsened suspicion and anxiety about his health.
His sister Uzma Khanum has expressed frustration that she has not seen him for weeks and that no clear information has been shared about his condition.
On Wednesday, a team of government doctors from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) examined Khan in Adiala Jail, following PTI’s concerns. Officials have not yet released details about the findings of this examination.
Punjab government sources confirmed the medical check‑up, saying that the nature of the ailment would be disclosed after the doctors submit their report.
Separately, Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Khan was taken to PIMS Hospital last weekend for a 20‑minute medical procedure and later returned to jail. He claimed Khan’s “vitals were stable” and that he is “absolutely healthy.”
Despite the government’s statement, PTI and other leaders have stressed that Khan should be moved for specialised hospital for treatment, arguing that the jail lacks the facilities to treat CRVO properly. They say the condition requires an operating theatre and specialist care, which cannot be provided inside prison.
In an open letter, five jailed PTI leaders also urged authorities to afford Khan proper medical treatment and allow him to be admitted to a hospital of his choice, warning the eye infection could lead to vision loss if not treated quickly.
The issue has sparked political tensions and public debate. Opposition lawmakers have called for immediate family access and transparency about Khan’s health. They argue that withholding medical details and restricting visits creates distrust and anxiety.
However, some of Khan’s sisters have publicly questioned parts of the health reports, saying they had no direct evidence of serious eye trouble and calling for official clarification.
Imran Khan has been jailed since August 2023 on multiple convictions related to corruption and leaking state secrets, charges he disputes and says are politically motivated. His absence from public life and political bans have created ongoing polarization in Pakistan’s politics.
His health condition now adds a humanitarian and legal dimension to the debate about political imprisonment and prisoner rights in the country.
PTI and supporters say Khan’s deteriorating health and restricted access to care raise concerns over basic human rights and dignity for incarcerated individuals, particularly those with serious medical needs
