specialists to examine Imran Khan's eyesight

Sunday, 15 February 2026 | Web Desk

The federal government has decided to transfer PTI founder Imran Khan from Adiala Jail to a hospital for treatment of his falling eyesight, with the location being kept confidential for now. The decision comes amid growing concerns over the former prime minister’s vision loss, which his lawyers claim has reduced to just 15 percent in his right eye .

Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry announced on X (formerly Twitter) that the decision to hospitalize Imran Khan has been made in view of his health condition. “The government prioritizes humanitarian and legal requirements. Providing facilities to every prisoner according to the law is the government’s responsibility. Politicizing a sensitive matter like health is not appropriate,” he stated.

Chaudhry advised PTI to refrain from baseless propaganda or political point-scoring, emphasizing that the government is fulfilling its responsibilities and that the matter should be approached with national seriousness and tolerance rather than being politicized.

Medical Panel Formed

Following Chaudhry’s statement, media reports citing sources revealed that the government has constituted a two-member medical panel to examine Imran Khan’s eyesight. The panel comprises:

Dr Muhammad Amjad – Senior Consultant at Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, Rawalpindi
Dr Nadeem Qureshi – Head of Department (HOD) and Chief Consultant at Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, Rawalpindi

Both specialists are experts in retina treatment. Dr Nadeem Qureshi serves as the Head of the Vitreo-Retina Department at Al-Shifa, while Dr Muhammad Amjad is an Assistant Professor and Consultant in the same department . The panel will first examine Imran Khan inside the jail. If the doctors recommend further treatment, he will be shifted to a hospital.

Supreme Court Intervention

The development follows a Supreme Court directive issued by a bench led by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, ordering a full specialist evaluation of Imran Khan’s eyesight by February 16 . The order came after a report from his counsel, Barrister Salman Safdar, who personally met Khan in Adiala Jail and reported alarming details about his deteriorating vision .

According to the report submitted to the Supreme Court, Khan had normal 6/6 vision in both eyes until October 2025 but later began experiencing persistent blurred vision, which he alleged was repeatedly reported to jail authorities without timely action . An ophthalmologist from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Dr Muhammad Arif, later examined him and reportedly diagnosed a blood clot that caused significant damage to his right eye .

PTI’s Concerns and Family Response

The PTI leadership has expressed serious reservations over the government’s handling of Khan’s health. In a significant development, Khan has moved the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking bail and suspension of his sentence on medical grounds in the Toshakhana-II and the £190 million Al-Qadir Trust cases .

His sister, Aleema Khanum, has strongly criticized the government, alleging a “clear conspiracy” and expressing the family’s preference for treatment at Shifa International Hospital Islamabad rather than Al-Shifa . “We do not want Imran Khan to be treated at Al-Shifa Rawalpindi. We have repeatedly and unequivocally stated that Imran Khan must be treated at Shifa International Hospital Islamabad, the facility where the identified specialists are based,” she posted on X .

Political Fallout

The health issue has triggered heated debates in parliament, with PTI senators staging protests in the Senate by placing Khan’s photographs on their desks, leading to the adjournment of proceedings . Opposition leader in the Senate, Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, termed the alleged medical negligence as a serious matter, drawing parallels to Islamic laws regarding compensation for vision loss .

Federal Information Minister Atta Tarar has dismissed rumors of any negotiations with PTI and denied claims of mistreatment, emphasizing that Khan enjoys access to full facilities and privileges surpassing those of other inmates . The government has assured that a detailed report will be submitted to the Supreme Court and that all actions are being taken in Khan’s best interest .

Imran Khan’s treatment record summoned

The Punjab Home Department has summoned all records regarding Imran Khan’s medical treatment in Adiala Jail.

Sources say that jail authorities have been directed to provide a complete chart of Imran Khan’s vital signs (such as blood pressure, pulse, temperature, blood sugar, etc.), as well as the reports of consultants detailing when and on which day which medical staff conducted his check-up inside the jail.