Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan's Vision Severely Deteriorating in Jail, Court-Appointed Monitor Reports

Islamabad. The health condition of former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, has reportedly become extremely critical inside the jail. According to Barrister Salman Safdar, an Amicus Curiae (court assistant) appointed by the Supreme Court, the 73-year-old Khan's vision in his right eye is now only 15 percent functional.

It is claimed that this serious condition arose because authorities ignored his complaints for three months. Barrister Safdar submitted a detailed seven-page report to the Supreme Court on Wednesday after a two-hour long conversation and inspection of the prison with Khan at Adiala Jail on February 10.

According to the report, Khan, who has been in custody since August 2023, repeatedly stated that he had been experiencing blurred vision for the last three months, but the jail administration showed no interest. A medical report dated February 6 confirmed a blood clot in the optic nerve of his right eye, which could cause permanent damage to the retina.

Supreme Court Intervention and Order

The Supreme Court has expressed serious concern over Khan's health condition. Chief Justice Yahya Afridi stated that Imran's health is the most important issue and immediate intervention is necessary.

The court issued a strict order to the jail administration to have his eyes examined by an expert team and to allow him to speak with his sons in the UK via phone by February 16. Barrister Safdar stated that Khan is very stressed and his eyes were constantly watering during the meeting.

Party Outrage and Warning

Imran Khan's party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has termed this incident as state cruelty. In a statement issued on Thursday, PTI warned that accountability would be sought for any harm caused to Khan's health.

The party demanded that he be immediately treated by his own private doctors and transferred to a specialist hospital. Furthermore, it was mentioned that lifting the restrictions on meetings with family and lawyers is his fundamental right.

Khan, who became Prime Minister in 2018, was ousted via a no-confidence motion in 2022. Since then, he has been facing hundreds of legal cases.

The current report confirms that he has been in solitary confinement for approximately two years and four months. In June 2024, a United Nations working group also concluded that Khan's detention lacked legal basis and was motivated by an intent to keep him out of politics. Khan, however, has consistently alleged that the military leadership and foreign powers were behind his arrest and ouster.