Pakistan’s Top Court Steps In: Imran Khan Ordered for Urgent Medical Examination Amid Vision Concerns
Pakistan’s political drama took a deeply personal turn this week. On Thursday, the country’s highest court ordered an immediate and comprehensive medical examination for former prime minister Imran Khan after alarming reports surfaced about severe vision loss in his right eye.
According to a detailed submission placed before the bench, Khan has reportedly lost 85% of sight in his right eye — leaving him with just 15% vision on that side.
Supreme Court Takes Notice
The directive came from a two-member bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan headed by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi and Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan.
The court was reviewing a report submitted by lawyer Salman Safdar, who had been appointed as amicus curiae — essentially, a neutral legal adviser assisting the court. After meeting Khan at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, Safdar presented a detailed account of the former premier’s health condition.
After examining the findings, the bench instructed the government to ensure a full medical evaluation is conducted before February 16. This assessment must include a thorough review by an ophthalmologist. While the court declined a request to reassess a medical procedure carried out on January 24 at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Chief Justice Afridi made it clear that the state bears responsibility for the well-being of anyone in its custody.
“A prisoner’s health is the responsibility of the state,” he observed, underlining the seriousness of the matter.
From Normal Vision to Sudden Loss
The report paints a troubling timeline.
As recently as October 2025, Khan’s vision in both eyes was reportedly a normal 6/6. However, he later began experiencing persistent blurriness and distorted sight. The report claims he repeatedly raised concerns with prison authorities about his deteriorating vision.
Then came a sudden and dramatic development: complete vision loss in his right eye.
Doctors at PIMS identified a blood clot that had caused significant damage. Despite medical intervention — including injections — the damage appears largely irreversible, with only minimal vision remaining in the affected eye.
Court Orders Family Contact and Doctor Access
Beyond medical testing, the court also directed authorities to facilitate phone contact between Khan and his sons, Kasim and Suleiman. Additionally, he must be allowed to consult his personal physicians.
These directions reflect the court’s attempt to balance custodial protocol with basic rights and humanitarian considerations.
Emotional Scenes Outside the Court
The case has not only stirred legal debate but also emotional reactions. Outside the courtroom, Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, was seen in tears while speaking about her brother’s worsening condition.
Members of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the party founded by Khan, were also present during proceedings, signaling how closely the political establishment is watching every development.
Son Blames “Medical Neglect”
Khan’s son, Kasim Khan, responded publicly to the court proceedings, alleging that his father’s declining eyesight is the result of prolonged solitary confinement and inadequate medical care.
“We have been informed that my father, Imran Khan, has lost most of the vision in his right eye, with only 15% remaining,” he wrote, suggesting that the deterioration could have been prevented with timely treatment.
Politics, Health, and Public Scrutiny
For a leader who once dominated Pakistan’s political landscape, the current focus is no longer campaign rallies or parliamentary battles — it’s his health.
As the February 16 deadline approaches, the medical findings could carry not just personal implications for Khan, but political ones as well. In Pakistan’s charged environment, even a medical report can ripple far beyond the hospital ward.
For now, all eyes — quite literally — are on what the next examination reveals.