ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered that PTI founder Imran Khan be granted access to specialist eye doctors and directed that a comprehensive eye examination be conducted by a medical board before February 16.
The court also instructed authorities to provide telephone call access between Imran Khan and his sons, Kasim Khan and Sulaiman Khan.
This action follows the submission of a seven-page report by PTI counsel Salman Safdar, detailing his visit and meeting with the former prime minister at Adiala Jail. Safdar was appointed by the court as amicus curiae (friend of the court) and was tasked with filing his findings by February 11.
The case was heard by a two-member bench comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi and Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan.
During proceedings, the Chief Justice emphasized that health concerns are of highest importance and warrant judicial oversight, stating the court wanted the government’s official stance on the PTI founder’s medical condition.
The court further directed that a team of doctors be formally constituted to carry out the required eye assessment.
According to the report presented in court, Imran Khan described the current medical facilities as “unsatisfactory” and specifically requested access to expert ophthalmologists for proper treatment.
The bench noted that the reports submitted by the amicus curiae and the jail superintendent were identical in content.
Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan informed the court that the government is willing to arrange specialist eye care, adding that providing medical treatment to prisoners is the state’s responsibility. He assured the bench that if any inmate is dissatisfied, the state will take corrective measures.
The Chief Justice remarked that since Imran Khan is in state custody, he must receive medical facilities equal to those available to other prisoners. However, he clarified that the court would not permit preferential or special treatment beyond standard inmate rights, stressing the principle of equal treatment for all.
He also highlighted that phone contact with Imran Khan’s sons is an important humanitarian matter and said the court is placing trust in the government to ensure this facility.
The Chief Justice further noted that the trial court has already issued its ruling, while appeals are pending before the High Court, and stated that the Supreme Court has reserved its order in the main case.
