RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan was overnight taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) in Islamabad for a scheduled follow-up relating to treatment of his right eye.
The former prime minister was taken to the hospital under heightened security for the second time from Rawalpindi's Adiala jail for treatment of the right eye after his first visit late in January. The doctors had prescribed three injections for his eye care.
He was shifted back to the prison after staying at the hospital for almost an hour, when his heart condition was also checked, besides an eye checkup. The jailed PTI founder is reportedly expected to receive the third injection on March 23.
Before the procedure, a board of specialists conducted a detailed examination of Khan's eye. A consultant cardiologist also carried out echocardiography and an electrocardiogram. Both tests showed normal cardiac function, according to a statement issued by the executive director of the hospital.
Officials said that informed consent was obtained from the PTI founder before treatment. The procedure was undertaken under the supervision of consultant ophthalmologists and a consultant vitreoretinal surgeon from both Pims and Shifa International Eye Hospital.
Following the preliminary assessments, the former prime minister was administered a second dose of an anti-VEGF intravitreal injection as part of ongoing care for his diagnosed eye condition, the hospital said in the statement.
The injection was administered in an operation theatre under established medical protocols and precautionary measures.
The intervention was performed as day-care surgery, allowing for discharge later the same day. Hospital authorities stated that Khan's vitals remained stable throughout his stay, during the procedure and in the recovery period.
He was subsequently discharged with follow-up advice, necessary instructions and relevant medical documentation.
PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Khan said that he was informed that the party founder underwent a follow-up procedure on his affected eye at the Pims Hospital.
Speaking to Geo News, Barrister Gohar said he received confirmation of the medical procedure after the medical examination had been completed. He was told that Khan had been moved from Adiala Jail to Pims for the procedure and later returned following treatment.
He stressed that the party’s position was in line with the demands of Khan's family, adding that the PTI is calling for the former prime minister to be transferred to the Shifa International Hospital for further medical care.
Gohar also said the party wants any future medical examination to take place in the presence of his personal physicians, describing it as a matter of transparency and trust.
Khan's health has emerged as the latest point of contention between the government and the opposition comprising PTI and the TTAP alliance after a report, submitted to the Supreme Court by his lawyer and SC's amicus curiae Barrister Salman Safdar.
The report revealed that the PTI founder was diagnosed with a serious eye condition known as central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO).
CRVO is a disorder that commonly affects older adults and is linked to underlying cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and heart disease.
Furthermore, the report stated that the former premier — who has been in jail since August 2023 — has complained of losing 85% of the vision in his right eye.
Khan, 73, has been jailed since August 2023 after convictions he and his PTI call politically motivated.
Since his 2022 ouster in a no-confidence vote, he has faced multiple cases, including over state gifts and an unlawful marriage.
Some convictions have been suspended or overturned, with appeals pending. He denies wrongdoing.
