Imran Khan Taken to Hospital for Second Eye Procedure Amid Ongoing Detention

By Zeeshan Naseem :

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was transported from prison to a government hospital in the capital on Tuesday to receive the second of three scheduled injections for a serious eye condition, officials confirmed.

The 73-year-old founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party was moved under heavy security from Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) in Islamabad for the follow-up treatment, his second such visit since late January.

Hospital authorities said Khan remained at the facility for approximately one hour, during which he underwent both eye treatment and cardiac evaluation. Medical staff performed echocardiography and an electrocardiogram, with both tests indicating normal heart function, according to a statement from the hospital’s executive director.

Medical Procedure Details

Before receiving treatment, Khan was examined by a board of specialists. Medical officials confirmed that informed consent was obtained from the former prime minister prior to the procedure.

The second dose of an anti-VEGF intravitreal injection was administered in an operating theatre under established medical protocols, supervised by consultant ophthalmologists and a vitreoretinal surgeon from both Pims and Shifa International Eye Hospital.

The procedure was conducted as day-care surgery, allowing Khan to return to prison the same day. Hospital authorities reported that his vital signs remained stable throughout the procedure and recovery period. He was discharged with follow-up instructions and medical documentation.

The third and final injection is reportedly scheduled for March 23.

Political Reactions

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan confirmed that party representatives were informed of the procedure after its completion. Speaking to a local television network, he said the party’s position aligns with the demands of Khan’s family, calling for the former prime minister to be transferred to Shifa International Hospital for ongoing care.

Gohar also stressed that future medical examinations should be conducted in the presence of Khan’s personal physicians, describing this as essential for transparency and trust.

The party later issued a statement criticizing the hospital’s brief update as inadequate, arguing that a short procedural note cannot substitute for a comprehensive, independently verified medical report. A spokesman added that official accounts remain speculative until Khan’s personal doctors or family are granted access to him.

Health Concerns Spark Political Tensions

Khan’s medical condition has become a fresh point of contention between the government and opposition parties following a report submitted to the Supreme Court by his lawyer and the court’s amicus curiae.

The report revealed that Khan has been diagnosed with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), a disorder that affects blood flow in the retina and can lead to significant vision loss. The condition is commonly associated with cardiovascular risk factors including high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, diabetes, and heart disease.

According to the report, Khan has complained of losing approximately 85% of vision in his right eye.

Previous examinations by a government medical board in mid-February reported significant improvement in his eyesight, noting reduced retinal swelling and improved vision with corrective glasses. However, Khan’s personal physician stated he could neither confirm nor deny these findings, as authorities have not permitted him to examine or speak with the detained former premier.

Ongoing Detention

Khan has been held at Adiala Jail since August 2023 following convictions in multiple cases that he and his party maintain are politically motivated. His removal from office in April 2022 through a parliamentary vote of no confidence—which he claims was orchestrated by political rivals with military backing—has led to sustained political confrontation between PTI and the federal government.

Some convictions have been suspended or overturned, with appeals pending. Khan denies all wrongdoing. His detention has triggered repeated protests demanding his release, several of which have turned violent.