Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has reportedly suffered a significant deterioration in his health while in custody, with claims suggesting that he has lost nearly 85 percent of the vision in his right eye during his time in prison. The development has intensified political tensions in the country, as his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has launched protests and a sit-in outside Parliament, demanding urgent and transparent medical treatment for the jailed leader.
PTI has accused authorities of attempting to secretly transfer Khan from prison to a hospital without informing his family or personal medical team, describing the alleged move as a serious violation of his fundamental rights. According to party representatives, any medical relocation carried out without prior notification raises concerns about transparency and safety, with leaders arguing that such secrecy could endanger Khan’s health and wellbeing.
The party stated that even close family members of the 73-year-old former prime minister were reportedly kept unaware of the planned hospital transfer. PTI has insisted that any medical examination, treatment procedure, or administration of medication must take place under the supervision of Khan’s personal physicians and in the presence of at least one member of his family. Party officials maintain that these conditions are necessary to ensure accountability and prevent potential mishandling of his medical care.
Concerns over Khan’s health have been raised repeatedly by his family and legal team, who have long accused prison authorities of failing to provide adequate medical attention. Reports indicate that the former prime minister is dealing with multiple health complications, including serious issues related to his eyesight, which have reportedly worsened during his incarceration. The alleged loss of vision in his right eye has become a focal point of political and public debate, prompting renewed calls for immediate medical intervention.
In an official statement, PTI expressed deep alarm over what it described as plans to move Khan for treatment without proper communication or legal compliance. The party argued that such actions would violate both constitutional protections and established prison regulations, which require authorities to notify family members and designated doctors before conducting medical examinations or transferring a prisoner for treatment.
The statement further criticized what it characterized as a lack of transparency surrounding Khan’s medical condition, claiming that withholding information mirrors previous patterns that, according to the party, have placed the former prime minister at risk. PTI leaders warned that any delay in providing necessary medical care could have serious consequences and described the situation as both unfortunate and inhumane.
Emphasizing the urgency of the matter, the party demanded that treatment begin immediately and declared that it would not accept any compromise regarding Khan’s health. Political pressure has increased as opposition groups aligned with PTI intensified their demonstrations. On Friday, members of Pakistan’s opposition alliance staged a sit-in near Parliament House to draw attention to Khan’s medical condition and demand action from authorities.
At the same time, the Tehreek Tahafuz-i-Ayeen Pakistan (TTAP), an alliance that includes PTI, initiated a protest outside Parliament, pledging to continue demonstrations until Khan is transferred to Al-Shifa Hospital for proper medical care. Protest leaders framed the issue as not only a humanitarian concern but also a matter of legal and constitutional accountability.
Judicial intervention has also entered the picture. Pakistan’s Supreme Court recently directed authorities to establish a medical board tasked with examining Khan’s eye condition following reports of severe vision loss. The court’s directive is seen as an attempt to ensure an independent medical evaluation amid growing controversy and political pressure surrounding the case.
Imran Khan has remained in custody since August 2023, when he was arrested at his residence in Lahore after being convicted in a corruption-related case. He is currently being held at the high-security Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. His continued imprisonment, combined with ongoing legal battles and health concerns, has kept him at the center of Pakistan’s political landscape, with supporters and critics closely monitoring developments related to his condition and treatment.
As protests continue and legal scrutiny intensifies, the issue of Khan’s health has evolved into a broader political and humanitarian debate, highlighting tensions between the government, opposition parties, and state institutions over transparency, prisoner rights, and medical care standards within the country’s prison system.
