Court reviews vision concerns as government insists jailed ex-PM receives proper medical care
Imran Khan, founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. Photo: Archive
ISLAMABAD:
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday ordered the formation of a medical board while deciding a petition filed by former Prime Minister Imran Khan for his transfer to Shifa International Hospital for treatment.
The case was heard by Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir and Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro. PTI founder Khan was represented by lawyer Sardar Latif Khosa, while Islamabad Advocate General Ayaz Shaukat and Additional Attorney General Rashid Hafeez also appeared before the court.
During the hearing, Khosa told the court that Khan had been complaining of deteriorating vision in his right eye since October. He said jail doctors initially treated the matter as routine and Khan was shifted to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) only after his eyesight had “almost been lost”. He added that the family and legal team were not informed during this period.
The court asked that Khosa be allowed to complete his arguments and ordered the Islamabad attorney general to review medical reports and previous decisions related to the case.
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Citing jail rules and previous court rulings, Khosa argued that there were serious concerns about Khan’s health and life and that immediate specialist care was necessary. The court ordered both sides to continue presenting arguments.
Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir asked in which case former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had received relief earlier. Advocate General Ayaz Shaukat replied that it had been granted through a writ petition.
Judge Tahir noted that the matter would be decided according to the law and questioned what would happen if a prisoner was not satisfied with the medical treatment. The attorney general responded that the rules required the satisfaction of the doctor, not the prisoner.
The judge noted that treatment was already being provided and suggested that a medical check-up could be carried out at Shifa Hospital, with access to Khan’s personal doctors. “Treatment is being carried out and the government recognizes it. Dr Nadeem Qureshi is an excellent retina specialist,” Justice Tahir said.
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During the trial, Khan’s sister Aleema Khan said: “They don’t even tell the truth; they keep lying all day long.” The judge responded that Dr Qureshi could inform Khan’s doctors about the ongoing treatment.
A medical report submitted to the Supreme Court on February 15 claimed that Khan’s vision in his right eye had decreased to 15%, prompting fresh calls from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for his release on medical grounds. His family has also demanded that he be transferred to Al-Shifa Hospital to receive treatment from his personal doctors.
However, government officials maintain that Khan is receiving adequate medical care in custody.
Khan has been jailed since August 2023 and is serving time in Adiala Jail for the £190m corruption case. He also faces pending lawsuits under the Anti-Terrorism Law linked to the May 9, 2023 protests.
