PTI alleges ‘criminal negligence’ as Imran Khan’s vision hit, demands urgent medical care

• Sheikh Waqas claims ex-PM’s right eye vision reduced to 15% due to CRVO, accusing govt of delaying treatment, ignoring repeated complaints

• Demands immediate transfer to Shifa International Hospital, access to personal doctors, including Dr Faisal Sultan and Dr Asim

• Terms solitary confinement ‘torture’ and violation of human rights, urging judiciary, global bodies to intervene ‘before it is too late’

 ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram on Sunday strongly condemned what he termed “barbaric criminal negligence” by the government in the medical treatment of PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan, alleging that prolonged denial of care has caused serious and irreversible damage to his health.

In a strongly worded statement, Waqas claimed that Imran Khan has suffered severe impairment to his right eye, with vision reduced to around 15 per cent due to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). He held the government directly responsible, alleging that jail authorities, acting on instructions from the ruling regime, ignored repeated complaints for months and denied him timely medical intervention, allowing the condition to worsen.

He demanded that Imran Khan be immediately and unconditionally shifted to Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, for comprehensive diagnosis, specialised treatment, and a full medical evaluation under transparent conditions. He further insisted that Imran Khan’s personal physicians, including Dr Faisal Sultan and Dr Asim, be granted immediate and unrestricted access to examine and treat him without delay.

Waqas also called for regular and unhindered family visits, saying his relatives must be allowed to personally assess his “rapidly deteriorating” health and well-being. He emphasised that such access constitutes a fundamental constitutional right of every citizen—particularly a former prime minister—and termed its continued denial a grave and blatant violation of human rights.

The PTI leader strongly criticised the prolonged solitary confinement of Imran Khan, describing it as “nothing less than torture and psychological warfare” that is inflicting serious physical and mental suffering. He said such isolation is degrading, inhumane, and in clear breach of civilised norms as well as international human rights standards.

Holding the government “fully and squarely responsible,” Waqas accused it of pursuing a deliberate and vindictive policy of medical neglect, isolation, and denial of basic rights, warning that these actions have placed Imran Khan’s life and health at “grave and imminent risk.” He described the situation as illegal, unconstitutional, and a “dark stain” on the country’s democratic credentials and international image.

He further said that Imran Khan’s vision of making Pakistan a partner in peace rather than conflict, and prioritising dialogue over war, remains more relevant than ever for regional stability. “The nation cannot afford to see its most popular and visionary leader subjected to such cruel and vindictive injustice,” he added.

Waqas urged the judiciary, human rights organisations, civil society, and the international community to take immediate notice of the situation before it is too late, warning that continued “barbarity” would further expose what he described as the government’s anti-people and authoritarian approach.

He concluded by reaffirming that PTI would continue to raise its voice “relentlessly and fearlessly” until Imran Khan is provided immediate and quality medical treatment at Shifa International Hospital, granted full access to his family and personal doctors, and released from solitary confinement.

“Justice, basic human dignity, and the rule of law must prevail without any further delay,” he said.