Party leaders seek specialized eye care and access to personal doctors and family
The Supreme Court of Pakistan. PHOTO: APPLICATION/FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Senior members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday approached the Supreme Court seeking transfer of the party’s founder, former Prime Minister Imran Khan, to Al-Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad for treatment.
The petition was filed by PTI lawyer Latif Khosa in the Toshakhana criminal case under Rule 35(6) of the Supreme Court Rules, 2025, following a health assessment report prepared by lawyer Salman Safdar under the direction of the court.
He demanded that Imran be immediately transferred to Shifa International Hospital for specialized treatment of his eye problem by a retina specialist. He also requested access to his personal doctors, Dr. Faisal Sultan and Dr. Asim Yousaf, and requested that his family be allowed to remain present during medical examinations and treatments.
“The petitioner be immediately shifted to Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, for proper treatment of his eyes by a retina specialist and allow access to his personal physician, Dr. Faisal Sultan and Dr. Asim Yousaf,” the petition said.
The petition described Khan, 73, as being in poor health and said his condition was a matter of grave concern to both his family and the public. He added that he had repeatedly requested to consult his personal doctors for an independent examination and treatment of his deteriorating eye condition.
The filing also requested that Khan’s family members be informed and given reasonable access during his medical treatment, and that his legal counsel be provided with certified copies of all medical reports and examinations. She further requested her lawyer to visit her regularly to ensure effective legal representation.
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A two-member bench of the Supreme Court has already adjourned the proceedings in the Toshakhana criminal case until a final decision is made by the High Court.
Khan has been in prison since August 2023 and is currently serving a sentence in Adiala Prison in a £190 million corruption case. He also faces ongoing trials under the anti-terrorism law related to the May 9, 2023 protests.
His party stepped up calls for his release after a medical report submitted to the court said the vision in his right eye had fallen to 15%. However, government officials say he is receiving adequate medical care.
Following a recent medical evaluation, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Leader of Opposition in the Senate Allama Raja Nasir Abbas were briefed about Khan’s condition during a session at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences. His personal doctors, including Dr Asim Yousaf and Dr Khurram Mirza, were also informed and expressed satisfaction with the treatment, officials said.
Separately, Justice Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said Khan had 6/6 normal vision in one eye, while the other eye had about 70% vision with corrective glasses. Speaking at an event of lawyers in Ferozewala, he said a specialist medical team was satisfied with Khan’s treatment and had informed opposition leaders and his personal doctors.
According to a medical report obtained by The Express PK Press ClubKhan’s right eye’s vision improved from 6/36 to 6/9, while his left eye measured 6/6 with glasses. The assessment was conducted by a medical board comprising Dr Nadeem Qureshi and Dr Arif after examining Khan at Adiala jail.
