Party leaders seek specialized eye treatment and access for personal and family doctors.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan. PHOTO: APP/FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Senior members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday approached the Supreme Court seeking transfer of the party’s founder, former Prime Minister Imran Khan, to Al-Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad for medical treatment.
The petition was filed by PTI lawyer Latif Khosa in the Toshakhana criminal case under Rule 35 (6) of the Supreme Court Rules, 2025, following a health assessment report prepared by lawyer Salman Safdar under the direction of the court.
He requested that Imran be immediately transferred to Shifa International Hospital for specialized treatment of his eye condition by a retina specialist. He also requested access to his personal doctors, Dr. Faisal Sultan and Dr. Asim Yousaf, and requested that his family be allowed to remain present during medical examinations and treatments.
“The petitioner will be immediately shifted to Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad for proper treatment of his eyes by a retinal specialist and allowed access to his personal doctor Dr Faisal Sultan and Dr Asim Yousaf,” the petition said.
The petition described Khan, 73, in declining health and said his condition was a cause of serious concern to both his family and the public. He added that he had repeatedly requested access to his personal doctors for independent examination and treatment of his deteriorating eye condition.
The filing also requested that Khan’s next of kin be informed and granted reasonable access during his medical treatment, and that his legal counsel be provided with certified copies of all medical reports and examinations. Additionally, he requested regular access to his attorney to ensure effective legal representation.
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A two-member bench of the Supreme Court has already adjourned proceedings in the Toshakhana criminal case until the High Court issues a final decision.
Khan has been in prison since August 2023 and is currently serving time in Adiala Jail for a £190 million corruption case. He also faces pending lawsuits under the Anti-Terrorism Law linked to the May 9, 2023 protests.
His party has stepped up calls for his release after a medical report submitted to the court said vision in his right eye had decreased to 15%. However, government officials say he is receiving adequate medical care.
Following a recent medical assessment, PTI Chairman Advocate Gohar Ali Khan and Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas were briefed on Khan’s condition during a session at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences. His personal doctors, including Dr Asim Yousaf and Dr Khurram Mirza, were also informed and expressed satisfaction with the treatment, according to officials.
Separately, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said Khan had 6/6 normal vision in one eye, while in the other eye he had approximately 70% vision with corrective glasses. Speaking at a lawyers’ event in Ferozewala, he said a specialized medical team was satisfied with Khan’s treatment and had informed opposition leaders and his personal doctors.
According to a medical report obtained by The express PAkGazetteKhan’s right eye vision improved from 6/36 to 6/9, while his left eye measured 6/6 with glasses. The assessment was carried out by a medical board including Dr Nadeem Qureshi and Dr Arif after examining Khan in Adiala Jail.
