ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the federal government to ensure that former prime minister Imran Khan gets access to specialist eye doctors and ordered that a formal eye check-up of the incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder be conducted by a medical team before February 16.
The court orders came when it was informed through a report from an amicus curiae that despite treatment, vision in Imran’s right eye has been reduced to only 15 percent. A two-member bench, comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi and Justice Shahid Bilal Hasan, heard the case pertaining to Imran’s living conditions at the Adiala jail. The CJP asked the attorney general to review the report submitted by Barrister Salman Safdar. The court had earlier appointed Safdar as amicus curiae (friend of the court), directing him to visit Adiala jail, meet the incarcerated PTI founder and submit a detailed report. In pursuance of the court’s order, Barrister Salman Safdar submitted a seven-page report comprising 22 paragraphs before the apex court.
On Thursday, the CJP remarked that health is the most important issue and that there is a need for intervention in the matter. Addressing the attorney general, Justice Afridi said the court wished to know the government’s stance on the health issue. Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan replied that providing health facilities is the responsibility of the state, adding that if a prisoner is not satisfied, the state will take measures.
The court also directed that the former prime minister be provided the facility to hold telephonic conversations with his two sons, with the CJP observing that the issue of telephone calls to children is also important. “We are trusting the government,” he remarked, adding that today the government is in a good mood.
Referring to Imran’s request for the provision of certain books, the attorney general submitted that books would be provided after consultation with eye specialists. The CJP observed that the court had received both reports, one from the jail superintendent and the other from Salman Safdar, adding that most of the contents of the two reports were similar. “The place is good and facilities are adequate,” the CJP remarked.
During the hearing, Salman Safdar requested that the PTI founder be allowed to consult expert eye doctors in the presence of a family member. The court, however, declined the request. Justice Afridi said the court could not pass such an order.
According to the report submitted by Salman Safdar, the PTI founder has demanded that he be examined by his personal doctors, Dr Faisal Sultan and Dr Asim Yusuf. The report also recommended that Imran’s medical examination may be conducted by any specialist doctor.
The report stated that during a meeting with the amicus curiae, the PTI founder expressed concern over his eye condition, stating that it had not been taken seriously for the past three months. Until October 2025, vision in both eyes was 6/6 and normal, the report stated, but after that, he began experiencing continuous blurriness and hazy vision.
According to the PTI founder, he repeatedly informed the then jail superintendent; however, no action was taken by jail authorities to address these complaints. The report further revealed that the PTI founder experienced a sudden and complete loss of vision in his right eye. Eye specialist Dr Arif from PIMS hospital was called to conduct an examination, and blood clots were diagnosed in Imran’s eye, causing severe damage. Despite treatment, vision in his right eye was reduced to only 15 percent.
The report noted that the PTI founder’s eyes were watering and he was repeatedly wiping them. It also stated that he has not had a dental examination for two years. According to the report, the PTI founder further stated that routine blood tests appropriate for his age are not being conducted.
The report further revealed that due to solitary confinement and lack of access to television, an order should be issued to provide books to the PTI founder. It added that the television set in Imran’s cell is not functional. Therefore, it was recommended that in the absence of a functional television, the provision of books should be ensured, as doing so would not create any security concerns.
Meanwhile, the government and opposition hurled accusations against each other. PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja accused the state of committing a crime against the incarcerated former premier, with Adiala jail Superintendent Abdul Ghafoor Anjum being its face. He, along with Imran’s sister Aleema Khan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, spoke to the media outside the Supreme Court after details of the report emerged.
Salman Akram charged that several people are involved in the crime committed against Imran. “Their names will be revealed. Khan sahib has himself identified one of them, Abdul Ghafoor Anjum. A case will be filed against him.”
He explained that Salman Safdar had conveyed Imran’s specific instruction to immediately file a case against Anjum, conceding it was difficult for him to control his emotions after reading the report. He said the pain in Imran’s eye began in November, and sometime in December, he completely lost vision in his right eye. “Despite that, he was only given drops meant to treat irritation. He was not taken to hospital, nor was a qualified eye specialist called. Instead, prison doctors kept giving him eye drops while Imran continued to complain that the pain was not subsiding,” he alleged.
The PTI secretary general continued when the situation worsened, Abdul Ghafoor Anjum was immediately replaced on January 16. The new administrator also wasted 10 days before a doctor from PIMS, Dr Arif, was called on January 26. After examining Imran’s eye, Dr Arif advised that he be taken to hospital immediately. He was taken there and given treatment, including an injection.
Salman Akram pointed out that the word used in the report for Imran’s ailment is “occlusion of the retina,” and that the party founder was quoted as saying that after treatment at the hospital, he regained 10 to 15 percent vision in his right eye. He is now able to detect light through that eye but has not regained full vision.
Terming it a very painful and terrifying situation, he noted they had no information about what medical condition was affecting his vision. He emphasized that Imran Khan needs a medical check-up ASAP by doctors he trusts, with his family and the public present.
He claimed there were no retina specialists at PIMS, while Shifa International in Islamabad had two such doctors. He alleged they were deliberately not called to examine and treat him. He questioned why Imran’s cases were not being fixed for hearing. He maintained that despite this, the jailed leader had directed his party to approach the courts.
The report highlighted that Imran Khan’s access to his lawyers is restricted, impacting his right to a fair trial. It called for court intervention to enable uninterrupted meetings with lawyers and family. The report also requested basic amenities like a fridge and pest control in his cell. Imran Khan reportedly told the amicus curiae he’s adapting to jail conditions and is seeking only essential necessities. Salman Akram vowed his leader would be freed, that this nation would secure his release, and that cases against him would be fought both inside and outside the courts.
Aleema Khan reacted strongly to her brother Imran Khan’s health report, warning authorities to arrange treatment within two days. She said her heart broke seeing the condition and criticised the jail authorities for not acting on Imran’s eye issues for three months despite visible symptoms. “The jail superintendent was told repeatedly, but nothing was done. Everything’s monitored on cameras – they knew,” she said. Aleema blamed the lack of independent judiciary for Imran’s imprisonment and demanded treatment by his personal physician. “He won’t bow down,” she added.
KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi accused the jail superintendent of “medical terrorism” against Imran Khan, claiming the Punjab government is backing him. He alleged Imran was tortured and his family wasn’t informed. Afridi called the government’s report on Imran’s 15% vision “fake” and warned it shows their intentions. Afridi urged the Islamabad High Court to hear Imran’s cases, saying if courts can’t deliver justice, they should be shut down. He warned the government is targeting Imran and people won’t stay quiet, threatening mass protests in KP.
Meanwhile, addressing a joint press conference, Senate Opposition Leader and Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Aiyeen-e-Pakistan Vice Chairman Allama Raja Nasir Abbas said that the PTI founder cannot see properly. Opposition leaders criticised the government for “criminal negligence” and denying Imran Khan’s rights, including meetings with lawyers and family. Senator Abbas said the state should ensure prisoners’ rights, while Khokhar urged authorities to allow family meetings. Minister Talal Chaudhry countered that doctors will decide Imran’s treatment, citing the SC’s directives as an example of rule of law. He claimed Imran is getting adequate care and PTI is playing the “sympathy card”, highlighting the prison menu as better than what common citizens can afford.
Similarly, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Imran was receiving more privileges than any other prisoner at the Adiala jail. Rana Sanaullah told the Senate that politicising Imran’s health is inappropriate, adding the govt will follow court directives for his medical care. He said the SC found no major discrepancies in the prison report and Imran’s request for specialists is noted. Sanaullah urged lawmakers to avoid political conclusions as the matter is under judicial consideration.
Tehreek Tahaffuz Aiyeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) will stage a sit-in outside Parliament House until PTI founder Imran Khan gets treatment and meetings. The sit-in starts Friday after Juma prayers. TTAP leaders demanded Imran’s transfer to specialists and accountability for denying treatment. “We’ll stay until demands are met; govt will be responsible if anything goes wrong,” they warned. They also threatened to disrupt president’s address to joint sitting if concerns aren’t addressed. Allama Nasir said their sit-in would be peaceful. “Imran Khan’s health and eye vision are our top priorities,” he stressed. “The Supreme Court has given till Feb 16, but why wait? Every delay risks his vision further. Why not start treatment now?” Worried about Imran Khan’s health, the PTI leaders warned the government if things escalate, they won’t be able to handle the backlash. “Let’s resolve this peacefully,” they urged.
Meanwhile, the court reserved its decision on the appeal against the trial in the Toshakhana criminal case involving the PTI founder. During the proceedings, lawyer Latif Khosa presented arguments, while the CJP noted that the legal aspects of the appeal would also be reviewed.
Justice Afridi observed that the petitioner had challenged the jurisdiction of the trial court, adding that the trial court’s verdict had since been delivered and appeals against it were still pending. “Whether under these circumstances, the case has effectively become infructuous?” the CJP questioned. Latif Khosa replied that if it were a normal case, it could be considered infructuous. The court also discussed whether ruling on the legal status of the case could impact the parties involved. Khosa further raised the issue of whether “time should be restored,” to which the CJP responded that the Supreme Court would not act as an appellate court and they must respect the jurisdiction of the high court.
