Former Prime Minister Imran Khan has lost most of the vision in his right eye, with only 15% eyesight remaining, his lawyers have told Pakistan’s Supreme Court, according to a report by the BBC.
Citing submissions made before the apex court, the BBC reported that Khan’s counsel, Barrister Salman Safdar — who was allowed to meet him in prison this week — said the former premier began experiencing blurred and hazy vision three to four months ago. Despite informing jail authorities, no significant medical intervention was undertaken apart from the provision of eye drops, Safdar told the court.
Pakistan’s authorities had earlier confirmed that Khan underwent a 20-minute medical procedure on January 24 at Islamabad’s Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS). At the time, Minister Ata Tarar stated that Khan was “fine and healthy.”
However, Safdar informed the Supreme Court that Khan’s condition was later diagnosed as a blood clot in his right eye, resulting in severe damage and substantial vision loss. He submitted a detailed report to Chief Justice Yahya Afridi and Justice Shahid Bilal Hasan outlining the former prime minister’s medical condition and prison circumstances.
According to the BBC, Safdar stated that Khan appeared “visibly perturbed and deeply distressed” over the loss of vision and the lack of timely, specialized medical treatment. He requested that the court allow examination by a team of expert ophthalmologists, improved prison conditions, and access to family members.
The Supreme Court subsequently ruled that Khan be granted access to his personal physicians at Adiala Jail and be permitted to speak by telephone with his sons, Kasim and Sulaiman.
The report submitted by Safdar also detailed Khan’s prison environment, describing a room containing basic furniture, approximately 100 books, two dumbbells, a prayer mat, and a non-functional television. During summer months, the room reportedly becomes hot and humid, with insects and mosquitoes frequently entering. The report further claimed that Khan suffered food poisoning two to three times during hot weather.
Khan is assigned a “mushaqati” — a fellow inmate who assists with cleaning his cell — and is allowed to walk in a 12-by-30-foot lawn area during daytime hours.
Previously, a federal interior minister described Khan as “the most privileged prisoner in Pakistan,” citing access to gym equipment and a cook.
Imran Khan, who served as Pakistan’s prime minister from 2018 to 2022 and previously captained the national cricket team, has been incarcerated since August 2023. He faces more than 100 cases, including charges related to state secrets and the sale of state gifts — allegations he has consistently described as politically motivated.
His imprisonment sparked widespread protests by supporters, followed by a crackdown by authorities, during which thousands were arrested and many injured in clashes with police.
The latest developments surrounding his health are likely to intensify scrutiny of his detention conditions both domestically and internationally.