The medical examination of PTI founder Imran Khan has been completed by a newly constituted board of five doctors at Adiala Jail, following directions from the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
According to a report submitted to the Supreme Court by his lawyer Salman Safdar, the former prime minister has been diagnosed with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), a serious eye condition. This condition occurs when a main vein in the retina becomes blocked, and is often linked to high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and heart disease.
Sources revealed that the medical board conducted a detailed two-hour examination, focusing particularly on his affected eye. The jail administration confirmed that the Islamabad chief commissioner formed the board, which includes specialist doctors for a comprehensive health assessment.
The medical team comprises ENT specialist Professor Altaf Hussain, cardiologist Professor Akhtar Ali Bandesha, Dr Muhammad Ali Arif, and eye specialist Professor Nadeem Qureshi from Al-Shifa Eye Hospital. The board is expected to submit a complete medical report to the chief commissioner soon.
Earlier, the IHC had ordered the formation of this board while rejecting a petition seeking Imran Khan’s transfer to a private hospital for treatment. The request had proposed shifting him to Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, and was heard by a bench including Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir and Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro.
In its ruling, the court directed that the medical board’s recommendations be submitted promptly, after which the chief commissioner will decide whether treatment should continue in jail or if a transfer is necessary under prison rules.
The court also stressed that family members must be informed in case of any serious medical condition, and clarified that government authorities hold the power to transfer prisoners for specialised treatment.
Additionally, the court reaffirmed that Imran Khan should continue to have access to his lawyers and family, as per earlier directives.
Previously, the former prime minister had been taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad, twice from Adiala Jail for treatment of his right eye. His latest visit was on February 24 under strict security for a follow-up, and he is scheduled to receive his third injection on March 23 as part of the ongoing treatment plan.
