ISLAMABAD (MNN); The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) announced on Tuesday night that PTI founder Imran Khan was medically examined at Adiala Jail as part of follow-up treatment for his eye condition, with doctors noting a significant improvement in his vision.
However, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) rejected the official statement, arguing that any medical assessment conducted without the presence of Imran Khan’s personal physicians and immediate family members lacked transparency and credibility.
In a press release, PIMS stated that a medical board comprising Dr Nadeem Qureshi, head of the vitreoretinal department at Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, Rawalpindi, and Dr M Arif Khan, head of the ophthalmology department at PIMS, carried out the examination. The same team had evaluated Imran last month at Adiala Jail, where he remains incarcerated.
According to the hospital, the latest assessment was conducted as a follow-up to the second dose of intravitreal anti-VEGF injection administered to the former premier. The American Academy of Ophthalmology explains that anti-VEGF therapy helps reduce leakage from abnormal blood vessels in the retina, slowing or preventing further damage, and in some cases improving vision.
Doctors examined visual acuity in both eyes and conducted fundoscopy, slit lamp examination, and optical coherence tomography. The board concluded that Imran Khan’s vision had “improved remarkably” and described it as substantially good at this stage. Further care and treatment were recommended as per the previously agreed medical plan.
In response, PTI issued a strong rebuttal, categorically rejecting the PIMS statement. The party reiterated that serious concerns had persisted for months regarding Imran Khan’s health, his access to independent medical care, and the denial of family-supervised evaluations.
PTI maintained that he must be examined in the presence of his personal doctors and close family members. The party also demanded that, in accordance with the wishes of his family, he be immediately shifted to Shifa International Hospital for an independent, transparent, and comprehensive medical evaluation and treatment.
The party declared that anything short of this arrangement would be unacceptable, warning that continued denial of independent medical access would further deepen public concerns.
Imran Khan’s eye condition — right central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) — became public in late January. His first medical procedure was performed on January 24, with official confirmation issued days later after media reports surfaced.
His counsel, Salman Safdar, later informed the Supreme Court that the former prime minister had suffered significant vision loss in his right eye while in custody. A five-member medical team initially examined him at Adiala Jail on February 15, and he was subsequently taken to PIMS on February 24 for a follow-up procedure, where he reportedly received the second anti-VEGF injection.
The issue has fueled political tensions between the government and the opposition, with PTI accusing authorities of lacking transparency and failing to ensure appropriate medical care, allegations the government has consistently denied.
Last month, 14 former international cricket captains, including Indian legends Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev, called for improved prison treatment for Imran Khan, describing him as one of the finest all-rounders in cricket history.
