Imran speaks to sons after court order, family demands urgent treatment

ISLAMABAD: Aleema Khan, sister of jailed Imran Khan, said on Saturday that the former premier spoke to his sons for about 20 minutes and was “extremely happy to hear their voices” after months of separation.

The development follows directives by the Supreme Court of Pakistan ordering that Imran be allowed to speak with his children and undergo a medical examination after a report submitted by his lawyer, Salman Safdar, revealed he had lost 85 per cent of vision in his right eye.

In a post on X, Aleema said the chief justice had instructed authorities to facilitate the call, confirming that Imran was able to speak with his sons for approximately 20 minutes. “His sons shared that he was extremely happy to hear their voices after such a long time,” she wrote.

She added that the family was now awaiting his urgent medical treatment at Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad under the supervision of his personal doctors. “Specialist doctors must make every possible effort to restore his eyesight,” she said, alleging that intentional delays in treatment had already caused significant damage.

“We cannot and will not tolerate any further delay, and immediate specialist care is essential to prevent any permanent loss of vision,” she said.

Imran’s sons, Kasim and Sulaiman, have repeatedly stated over the past year that they have been unable to meet their father since his arrest. Following submission of the medical report in court on Thursday, Kasim described the reported vision loss as “a direct consequence of solitary confinement and medical neglect.”

He alleged that his father had lost most of the vision in his right eye, claiming only 15pc remained, and held authorities responsible for what he described as prolonged solitary confinement and denial of proper medical care. He further claimed that he and his brother were still being denied visas to visit their father as his health deteriorated.

The latest development adds to mounting political and legal tensions surrounding Imran Khan’s incarceration and medical condition.