ISLAMABAD: On Thursday, the Supreme Court instructed that Imran Khan, founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), be provided access to eye specialists and granted telephonic contact with his sons, Qasim and Suleman. Both directives are to be implemented by February 16.
The court stressed the importance of prioritizing inmates’ health needs and facilitating communication with their families, emphasizing the fundamental principle of equal treatment for all prisoners.
A comprehensive report presented by Barrister Salman Safdar, serving as a Friend of the Court, shed light on urgent health concerns. According to the findings, Khan had normal vision in both eyes until October 2025. Following that period, his eyesight began to deteriorate progressively—a condition he frequently reported to prison authorities. Despite multiple complaints, no timely action was taken, resulting in a sudden severe deterioration of vision in his right eye.
Dr. Arif, an ophthalmologist from PIMZA Hospital, later identified a blood clot as the cause of the problem. Despite undergoing treatments and receiving injections, Khan’s vision in the affected eye remains critically limited at just 15 percent. During the examination, he was observed frequently wiping tears from his eyes, indicating possible distress due to delayed medical care. Additionally, the report disclosed that Khan had been unable to meet with his legal team for five months.
A two-member bench comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi and Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan reviewed the situation, emphasizing the necessity of prompt medical care and family interactions. Both the Friend of the Court and the Jail Superintendent recommended immediate access to specialized eye treatment as well as phone calls with Khan’s children. Although Khan expressed general satisfaction with prison security and food standards, he categorized the medical facilities as subpar and requested direct consultations with ophthalmologists.
Chief Justice Afridi reaffirmed the state’s obligation to provide adequate healthcare to all prisoners and stressed that, while Khan should not receive special privileges, he is entitled to equitable medical attention in accordance with the law.
Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan assured the bench that qualified medical professionals would be made available and any shortcomings in prisoner healthcare would be appropriately addressed. In response, the Supreme Court ordered the formation of a specialized team to evaluate Khan’s condition, with all necessary diagnostic procedures to be finalized by February 16. However, the court denied a request for a family member to accompany Khan during his medical evaluations.
Furthermore, underscoring the importance of family ties, the court urged government officials to facilitate phone communication between Khan and his children at the earliest opportunity. The Chief Justice highlighted the critical role such interactions play in supporting prisoners’ mental well-being.
During the hearing, there was also a plea for Khan to be allowed access to books for personal use. The Attorney General responded that this request would hinge on assessments by eye specialists to determine whether reading might worsen his condition.
