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IHC Orders Medical Board for Imran Khan’s Eye Treatment
The Islamabad High Court has ordered the formation of a medical board to assess jailed former PM Imran Khan’s eye condition. The board will include specialists from Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences and Shifa International Hospital, amid claims his vision has significantly deteriorated.
ND
by News Desk
2026-03-12
IHC Orders Medical Board for Imran Khan’s Eye Treatment

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday ordered the formation of a medical board to examine the health condition of incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan while hearing a petition seeking his transfer to Shifa International Hospital for specialised eye treatment.

The verdict was issued by a division bench comprising Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir and Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro after the court reserved its decision earlier in the day.

The court directed Muhammad Ali Randhawa, the Chief Commissioner of Islamabad, to constitute a medical board that will assess the health condition of the former premier. The bench also instructed that ophthalmology specialists Dr Muhammad Arif and Dr Nadeem Qureshi be included in the board.

Dr Qureshi, a retina specialist associated with Shifa Eye Hospital, is already part of a medical board constituted under the directions of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Meanwhile, Dr Arif serves as the head of the ophthalmology department at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad.

In its order, the court further directed authorities to ensure that Imran Khan is allowed to meet his lawyers and family members. The bench also instructed Dr Qureshi to remain in contact with the former prime minister’s family regarding his treatment.

Heated arguments in court

During the proceedings, senior lawyer Sardar Latif Khosa, representing the PTI founder, argued that his client had been suffering from a retinal problem since October last year.

Khosa claimed that doctors at Adiala Jail treated the condition as routine and alleged that authorities kept his worsening condition secret for several days before the government acknowledged that he had been shifted to PIMS.

According to the lawyer, Imran Khan’s eyesight has significantly deteriorated, with only around 15 percent vision remaining.

Khosa also compared the situation with the case of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, noting that the current government had previously allowed a convicted leader to travel abroad for medical treatment.

Government’s stance

Representing the state, Islamabad Advocate General Ayyaz Shaukat and Additional Attorney General Rashid Hafeez defended the government’s position.

The advocate general informed the court that a medical board had already been constituted following observations from the Supreme Court, including leading retina specialist Dr Nadeem Qureshi.

Justice Arbab questioned the government about its responsibility regarding the prisoner’s health, asking whether the state would take responsibility if any complications occurred.

The advocate general responded that the government would assume responsibility, but also argued that under jail rules, the decision regarding treatment venues depends on the medical officer’s assessment rather than the prisoner’s preference.

Family raises concerns

During the hearing, Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan briefly addressed the court, expressing distrust in the medical facilities available in prison.

She questioned why the former premier’s personal physicians were not being given access to his medical reports, despite the family having doctors who could assess his condition.

The court acknowledged the sensitivity of the matter, noting that the case had been heard on a day-to-day basis due to concerns regarding the former prime minister’s health.

Justice Arbab emphasised that the right to life is paramount, stating that any loss of life would be irreparable.

Background of the case

Earlier this month, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court seeking the immediate transfer of its founder to Shifa International Hospital for specialised eye treatment.

The petition, filed under Section 561-A of the Criminal Procedure Code by senior counsel Latif Khosa, alleged that jail authorities were conducting medical examinations in secrecy and demanded that Imran Khan’s personal doctors be granted access.

The application also cited a report submitted to the Supreme Court by amicus curiae Salman Safdar, which stated that despite repeated complaints of blurred vision, adequate medical intervention had not been provided in time.

Imran Khan, 73, has been incarcerated since August 2023, and concerns about his health have intensified after doctors diagnosed him with right central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) earlier this year.

According to recent updates from PIMS, doctors conducted a follow-up examination at Adiala Jail and reported that the former prime minister’s vision had shown remarkable improvement with treatment and corrective glasses.

However, his family and party leaders continue to push for his treatment at Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad.
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