ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (Diya TV) — Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has lost most of the vision in his right eye, his lawyer told Pakistan’s Supreme Court this week. The jailed opposition leader now has only 15% vision in that eye after prison officials failed to provide timely medical care, according to his legal team.
The claim adds fresh tension to the political crisis surrounding Khan’s imprisonment. It also raises questions about prison conditions and medical treatment at Adiala Jail, where he remains incarcerated.
Khan’s lawyer, Salman Safdar, visited him in prison earlier this week. He was the first outside visitor allowed to see Khan in seven weeks. After the visit, Safdar submitted a medical report to Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi and Justice Shahid Bilal Hasan.
Safdar said Khan began experiencing blurred and hazy vision three to four months ago. He informed the jail superintendent about the issue. However, prison authorities only gave him eye drops and did not arrange specialized care, Safdar said.
Doctors later diagnosed a blood clot in Khan’s right eye. The clot caused severe damage and left him with limited vision. Safdar told the court that Khan feels distressed by the vision loss and the lack of prompt treatment. He asked the court to allow a team of expert ophthalmologists to examine Khan. He also requested better prison conditions and access to family members.
The Supreme Court ruled that Khan can consult his personal physicians while in Adiala Jail. The court also allowed him to speak by phone with his sons, Kasim and Sulaiman.
Pakistan’s authorities previously confirmed that Khan underwent a 20-minute medical procedure on Jan. 24 at Islamabad’s Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences hospital. At the time, Minister Ata Tarar said Khan was “fine and healthy.”
Safdar’s recent report suggests Khan’s eye condition worsened despite the earlier procedure.
Safdar also described Khan’s living conditions in prison. According to the report, Khan stays in a room with basic furniture. He has access to about 100 books, two dumbbells, a prayer mat, and a television that does not work.
The report said the room becomes hot and humid during the summer. Insects and mosquitoes often enter the cell. Khan reportedly suffered food poisoning two to three times during the hotter months. A fellow inmate, known as a mushaqati, helps clean and wash the cell. Khan can walk on a 12-by-30-foot lawn during daytime hours.
One of Pakistan’s interior ministers previously described Khan as “the most privileged prisoner in Pakistan.” The minister said Khan has access to gym equipment and even a cook. The conflicting accounts have fueled debate about prison conditions and the treatment of high-profile inmates in Pakistan.
Imran Khan served as Pakistan’s prime minister from 2018 to 2022. Before entering politics, he captained the Pakistan national cricket team and led it to a World Cup victory in 1992. During his time in office, Khan’s government launched major infrastructure projects and social programs. These included expanded health care access and efforts to promote renewable energy.
Authorities jailed Khan in August 2023. He faces more than 100 legal cases. The charges range from leaking state secrets to selling state gifts. Khan denies all allegations and calls them politically motivated. His arrest sparked widespread protests across Pakistan. Supporters clashed with police in several cities. Authorities arrested thousands of protesters during the crackdown. Many people suffered injuries in the unrest.
Khan’s reported vision loss has added a new dimension to the ongoing political standoff. His lawyers argue that prison officials failed to provide timely and specialized medical care. They say the delay caused lasting damage to his eyesight. The case now sits before Pakistan’s top court. The Supreme Court’s decision to allow access to personal doctors marks a small but significant step.
