PTI again raises alarm over Imran Khan's health, demands transparency

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday renewed concerns about the health of its incarcerated founder, Imran Khan, criticising what it described as the government’s “silence and lack of clarity” on the matter.

The former prime minister’s family and party have voiced repeated concerns since it emerged in late January that he was suffering from right central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), an eye condition affecting blood flow to the retina.

In a statement posted on X, the PTI expressed “profound concern over the growing anxiety spreading among the nation” regarding Khan’s health.

“Any ambiguity surrounding the health of a leader who commands the confidence of millions is unacceptable. The government’s silence and lack of clarity have only intensified public unease rather than alleviating it,” the party said.

Calling the issue a matter of “national trust, human rights, and the government’s responsibility,” PTI insisted that if authorities had nothing to hide, there was no justification for delaying full transparency.

The party reiterated its demand that Khan’s personal physicians be granted “immediate and unrestricted access” to conduct necessary examinations, including blood tests and other diagnostic procedures. It also urged that he be allowed to undergo any required scans or specialised evaluations at a hospital or diagnostic centre of his choosing.

“It is the government’s responsibility to provide the nation with clear, verified, and unambiguous medical facts,” the statement added, warning that no further delay would be acceptable.

Medical details and court intervention

Family members and senior party leaders have made repeated attempts in recent weeks to meet Khan at Adiala Jail, but most visits were reportedly denied by authorities.

On February 10, the Supreme Court of Pakistan allowed PTI lawyer Salman Safdar to meet him. According to Safdar, Khan said he had “15 per cent” vision left in his right eye.

Earlier, it emerged that Khan underwent a medical procedure on the night of January 24, a development later confirmed amid claims that even family members were initially unaware.

A government-constituted medical board that examined Khan on February 15 reported that his unaided vision was 6/24 partial in the right eye and 6/9 in the left. With glasses, his vision was recorded as 6/9 partial in the right eye and 6/6 in the left.

The opposition alliance Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-i-Ayin-i-Pakistan (TTAP), which staged a six-day sit-in outside Parliament House over Khan’s health, reiterated demands for “complete and confidential access” for his personal physicians, Dr Aasim Yusuf and Dr Faisal Sultan, along with copies of all medical reports and diagnostic results.

Both doctors have previously stated that Khan requires a comprehensive medical check-up, which they say could be conducted at Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad.

Former Cricket Captains Appeal for Fair Treatment

Meanwhile, Khan’s son Kasim thanked former international cricket captains who issued a humanitarian appeal for his father’s fair treatment in prison.

The appeal, highlighted in an article by England’s former captain Mike Atherton, was signed by 14 former captains.

Among them were India’s Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev; Australia’s Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Allan Border, Steve Waugh, Belinda Clark and Kim Hughes; England’s Nasser Hussain, Mike Brearley and David Gower; the West Indies’ Clive Lloyd; and New Zealand’s John Wright.

The campaign was led by Greg Chappell, a contemporary of Khan during their playing careers.

“As fellow cricketers who understand the values of fair play, honour, and respect that transcend the boundary rope, we believe that a person of Imran Khan’s stature deserves to be treated with dignity and basic human consideration befitting a former national leader and global sporting icon,” the appeal stated.