Amid reports that PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan is suffering from a serious eye condition that could permanently impair his vision, the opposition has demanded immediate access for his family, according to Dawn. PTI said it had received credible information indicating that Imran’s condition requires urgent treatment. A senior doctor at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences claimed Imran was brought to the hospital late Saturday night under heavy security for a lengthy procedure, though another doctor denied this and declined further comment, citing fears of politicisation.

At a press conference in Islamabad, PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan said Imran was taken to hospital and returned to jail without informing his family, calling the situation deeply troubling for the nation, the party, and his relatives. He questioned why the family was not consulted, what illness Imran was treated for, who examined him, and why he was sent back to prison. Gohar accused the authorities of eroding public trust and urged them to allow meetings immediately, stressing that continued denial was increasing public and familial anxiety.

Senate opposition leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas described Imran as Pakistan’s most popular leader and criticised the government, claiming the political crisis would have ended had the February 8, 2024 election results been accepted. He also called for nationwide protests on February 8.

PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said Imran and Bushra Bibi were being kept in isolation, which he termed unacceptable. He added that Imran’s personal doctor had not been allowed to examine him and that petitions filed in the Islamabad High Court seeking meetings were rejected on technical grounds, calling the situation inhumane.

Separately, senior PTI leaders imprisoned at Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat jail appealed to the chief justice of Pakistan to intervene, warning that Imran’s eye infection had reportedly developed into central retinal vein occlusion, a condition that could cause permanent vision loss if not treated properly. They urged that Imran be admitted to a hospital of his choice and receive immediate care.

Responding to the controversy, Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry said decisions regarding meetings rested with jail authorities and warned that protests could complicate access. He declined to confirm whether any eye procedure had taken place and accused PTI of spreading propaganda to gain sympathy. Chaudhry insisted Imran was receiving full medical care, claiming he had met hundreds of people, including family members and doctors, and was being treated better than other prisoners.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.