ISLAMABAD, Feb 12 (ABC): The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered the formation of a medical board to examine former prime minister Imran Khan after he reported losing most of the vision in his right eye while in Adiala Jail.
The court also directed jail authorities to allow him to speak to his children. Both steps must be completed before February 16.
A two-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi and comprising Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan heard the case related to Khan’s prison conditions.
The chief justice said Khan’s health was the court’s top priority and required immediate attention. He asked the government to explain what medical care the prisoner was receiving.
Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan told the court that the state would ensure proper treatment. He said the government would take further measures if the prisoner remained unsatisfied.
Vision dropped to 15 per cent
Advocate Salman Safdar met Khan earlier this week after the court appointed him as amicus curiae. He later submitted a seven-page report.
According to the report, Khan told him that he had normal 6×6 vision in both eyes until October 2025. After that, he began to experience blurred and hazy sight.
He said he informed jail officials several times, but they did not arrange specialist care.
Khan told Safdar that he suddenly lost vision in his right eye. Doctors later diagnosed a blood clot. Despite treatment, only 15 per cent vision remains.
Safdar wrote that Khan appeared distressed during the meeting. His eyes watered constantly, and he repeatedly wiped them with tissues.
Pims doctors confirm diagnosis
Doctors from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences examined Khan at the jail.
A medical report signed by Executive Director Professor Dr Rana Imran Sikander stated that specialists carried out a full eye assessment. The tests included fundoscopy, pressure checks and optical coherence tomography.
Doctors diagnosed right central retinal vein occlusion. They advised hospital-based treatment.
The report said doctors brought Khan to Pims on January 24 and administered an anti-VEGF intravitreal injection. The procedure took about 20 minutes and finished without complications.
Access to doctors questioned
Khan also raised concerns about medical access.
He said authorities did not conduct regular blood tests. He added that jail officials did not allow visits from his personal physicians, Dr Faisal Sultan and Dr Asim Yusuf, despite repeated requests.
He further said no dentist examined him over the past two years.
Safdar noted these complaints in his submission and asked the court to ensure better medical oversight.
Calls with children allowed
The court also addressed Khan’s contact with family.
The chief justice said phone calls with his children were important. The bench ordered authorities to facilitate the calls before the next hearing.
However, the court said the Islamabad High Court would decide broader matters related to family meetings.
The Supreme Court directed the jail administration to comply with both orders and submit reports at the next date of hearing.