ISLAMABAD (MNN); Amid reports that PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan is suffering from a serious eye ailment that could lead to permanent vision loss, opposition leaders on Wednesday demanded that authorities immediately arrange a meeting between him and his family and share details of his medical condition.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) said it had received credible information indicating that Imran Khan was taken to a hospital under heavy security over the weekend for medical treatment. According to one senior doctor at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, the former premier was brought in late Saturday night for a procedure that reportedly lasted several hours. Another doctor, however, denied knowledge of the matter and declined to comment further.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan said that Imran Khan was taken to hospital and later returned to jail without informing his family or party leadership. He described the situation as deeply troubling for the nation, the party and Imran Khan’s family.
Gohar said the family should have been informed before moving the former prime minister for treatment. He added that neither the illness nor the doctor who examined Imran Khan had been disclosed so far, nor had any explanation been given for returning him to jail.
He warned that continued denial of meetings with Imran Khan was increasing public concern and damaging the government’s credibility. Gohar urged authorities to allow meetings immediately and not to restrict access until February 8. He stressed that a meeting with family members was essential to ease growing anxiety.
Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas said Imran Khan remained the most popular political leader in the country and deserved dignified treatment as a former prime minister. He termed the handling of Imran Khan’s medical issue unjust and called on the government to accept the results of the February 8, 2024 general elections to end the ongoing political crisis.
PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said that Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were being kept in isolation, which he described as unacceptable. He claimed that Imran Khan’s personal physician had been denied access despite having no political affiliation.
Raja said PTI lawmakers had filed petitions in the Islamabad High Court seeking permission to meet Imran Khan and ensure a medical examination, but the pleas were not taken up for regular hearing. He added that the party had also approached the chief justice to intervene administratively.
Separately, senior PTI leaders imprisoned in Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat jail issued an open letter demanding proper medical treatment for Imran Khan. They warned that his eye condition, described as central retinal vein occlusion, could cause permanent loss of vision if not treated promptly. The leaders appealed to the chief justice of Pakistan to personally ensure immediate and adequate medical care.
