ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the government to arrange an eye examination for former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan and facilitate a telephonic conversation between him and his sons, with authorities assuring compliance before February 16, 2026.
The directives came during the hearing of a petition regarding Imran Khan’s health. Referring to the report submitted by Barrister Salman Safdar—appointed as amicus curiae—after a three-hour meeting with the PTI founder at Adiala Jail, Chief Justice Yahya Afridi observed that Khan’s health appeared concerning and required proper medical attention.
The court ordered that his eye condition be examined by a competent specialist. However, it rejected a request that the medical examination be conducted in the presence of his family members, including his sons and sisters. The chief justice maintained that while medical care was essential, the presence of family during the examination was not necessary.
In addition, the court directed authorities to arrange a phone call between Imran Khan and his children. The attorney general assured the bench that both the eye examination and the telephonic contact would be facilitated before Sunday, February 16.
Meanwhile, security was tightened in and around Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi ahead of a scheduled meeting between PTI leaders and the incarcerated party founder. PTI coordinator Salman Akram Raja had submitted a list of six party leaders for approval, including Imtiaz Sheikh, Musharraf Afridi, Azhar Ghazwani, Muhammad Abdul Salam Afridi, Fazal Hakim Yousafzai and Owais Younis, who are expected to meet him at the high-security facility.
Safdar report flags eye condition
In his seven-page report comprising 22 paragraphs, Barrister Salman Safdar recommended an immediate examination of Imran Khan’s eyes.
According to the report, the PTI founder requested that his eyes be examined by Dr Faisal Sultan and Dr Asim Yousuf while also suggesting consultation with an expert ophthalmologist.
Safdar noted that treatment began after a sudden and complete loss of vision in Khan’s right eye. The former prime minister reportedly told him that he could see only 10 to 15 per cent from the affected eye.
The report stated that the issue began around three months ago with blurred vision, which Khan said he repeatedly reported to Jail Superintendent Abdul Ghafoor Anjum. However, according to the report, no immediate steps were taken, and the vision in his right eye later deteriorated significantly.
Subsequently, a PIMS ophthalmologist, Dr Muhammad Arif, examined him, after which the right eye’s vision remained limited to approximately 15 per cent.
Safdar also recommended that books be provided to the PTI founder, citing his solitary confinement and lack of access to a television.
The Supreme Court had earlier appointed Safdar as a friend of the court and directed him to visit Adiala Jail as a judicial representative and commissioner. He was instructed to submit a detailed written report on Khan’s health, living conditions, and available facilities.
The chief justice had ordered that Safdar be granted respectful and unhindered access to the jail and directed that any difficulty be immediately reported to his personal staff officer.
