Imran Khan losing permanent vision? Alarming report from Pakistan emerges as his party claims he was 'secretly transferred' to a new location

Imran Khan, Pakistan's jailed former prime minister, underwent a medical procedure for an eye ailment at a hospital last week and is currently in "good health" the country's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said. However, Imran Khan's party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has claimed that Imran Khan was suffering from a serious eye ailment that could cause permanent damage to his eyesight if not treated promptly. According to a report in Dawn, Khan's party claimed last week that Imran Khan had been diagnosed with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) in his right eye, "resulting in a dangerous blockage in the retinal vein".

The party claimed that Khan was 'secretly transferred' to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) and neither his family nor his party leadership was informed. The cricketer-turned-politician was denied access to his personal physicians, the party alleged, terming it "clear malice, bad faith, and a grave unconstitutional and illegal move".

Imran Khan's party had alleged that he faced "severe eye damage" and was denied a proper health care facility. Khan has been in jail since August 2023 after he was convicted on charges of corruption and leaking state secrets. The PTI founder has maintained these allegations are part of a state-sponsored campaign to keep him and his party out of power.

Imran Khan in danger of losing vision?

Before Imran Khan underwent an eye surgery, Imran Khan's party PTI expressed serious concerns over his health, citing credible reports that he is suffering from a serious eye condition that could lead to permanent vision loss if not treated urgently.

In a statement posted on social media, the party said that Imran had reportedly been diagnosed with central retinal vein occlusion in his right eye, describing it as a dangerous blockage of the retinal vein that requires immediate and specialised medical care. The party said medical experts had warned the condition could cause permanent damage to his eyesight if not treated promptly.

Khan’s lawyers and PTI leaders have claimed that the former Pakistan prime minister has mostly been kept in solitary confinement and that they have been denied access to him for the past three months. Khan’s party PTI, in a statement, said “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.”

According to reports, Imran Khan already suffers from blurred vision due to the retinal vein condition. PTI has alleged that the prison administration has not allowed his personal doctor to visit Khan for months. The party called the act by prison authorities “reckless” which has put Khan’s health in “grave danger”.

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PTI says Imran Khan should be allowed to meet family

PTI also demanded Imran Khan be allowed an “unrestricted meeting” with his family and be shifted to a hospital of his choice for treatment, news agency ANI reported, citing Dawn.

"If this is indeed the case, then why was such a request concealed from his family, party leadership, and legal counsel?" PTI said, demanding that the alleged request be made public.

"Secretive actions, suppression of information, and restrictions on meetings are unacceptable under any circumstances," it added, calling for immediate meetings with Imran and full access for his doctors.

PTI also said it had written to human rights organisations, stating, "The deliberate secrecy surrounding a detainee's medical condition and location constitutes bad faith, malice, and a clear violation of international custodial standards, including the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners."

Imran Khan in good health, says Pak minister

Geo News reported that Pakistan minister Attaullah Tarar, in an exclusive chat with the channel, said that eye specialists first examined Khan at Adiala Jail and advised that he should be shifted to PIMS for further assessment and treatment.

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Khan was hospitalised on Saturday night on doctors' advice, Tarar said. He said that Khan's eyes were examined again in the hospital and, after obtaining his written consent, doctors carried out a minor medical procedure that lasted around 20 minutes.

Following the procedure, the minister said, Khan was shifted back to Adiala Jail with the necessary medical instructions. The information minister stressed that Khan's vital signs remained stable throughout the procedure and that his overall health was satisfactory.

"During the medical procedure, Khan's vital organs and everything were stable. Currently, he is in good health,” Tarar said.

He added that access to medical facilities and specialist care is provided to all prisoners whenever required, strictly in accordance with jail rules.

(With PTI inputs)