Pakistan Faces Accusations of Denying Eye Treatment to Imran Khan

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan of Pakistan is scheduled for a second eye surgery within a month, following alarming reports about his health. A government official indicated that Khan, now 73, has suffered significant vision loss, reportedly losing up to 85% of sight in his right eye.

Concerns Over Imran Khan’s Eye Health

The information minister of Pakistan, Attaullah Tarar, confirmed the need for specialized medical treatment. He stated that further evaluations and procedures would be conducted by leading eye specialists. A comprehensive report will also be submitted to the Supreme Court.

Khan previously underwent surgery to address a blood clot in his right eye at the end of January. However, his sister, Aleema Khan, expressed concerns regarding the lack of access for his doctors to examine him. She indicated that there may be more serious medical issues contributing to his vision problems.

Allegations of Delayed Treatment

This situation has escalated into a political issue. A lawyer from Khan’s party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (P.T.I.), highlighted in his report that delayed treatment has exacerbated Khan’s vision impairment. The lawyer, Salman Safdar, mentioned that Khan had reported persistent blurred vision since October.

Supporters of Khan have publicly accused the government and military of neglecting his medical needs, leading to his deteriorating health. The claims indicate that Khan retains only 15% vision in his affected eye and assert that treatment was deliberately postponed.

• Khan’s sister claims that he risks losing all vision in his right eye.
• Salman Akram Raja, P.T.I.’s secretary general, expressed doubts about the situation’s recoverability.

Government Response

Rana Sanaullah, a special assistant to current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, dismissed allegations of negligence. He stated that prison officials were first notified of Khan’s eye problems in early January and that he was receiving medical assessments every two days.

Imran Khan served as the Prime Minister of Pakistan from 2018 to 2022, and despite facing multiple corruption charges, he remains popular among his supporters. He has been detained in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi, since 2023, where his family and lawyers have frequently faced restrictions on visitations.

Call for Independent Medical Evaluation

Aliema Khan insists that her brother should be evaluated by specialists in an independent facility, ensuring no tampering with medical reports. However, as of now, the specifics of Khan’s upcoming treatment remain uncertain.

The ongoing situation regarding Imran Khan’s eye treatment has raised significant concerns about healthcare access in prison and the political implications surrounding his detention.