Bushra Bibi shifted to hospital, PTI chairman says

ISLAMABAD: Bushra Bibi, the wife of incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan, has been shifted from prison to a hospital and is set to undergo a crucial surgery, according to her family and party leadership.

The development was first confirmed by PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, who said he received a message late at night informing him that Bushra Bibi had been moved to a hospital and that further details about her treatment would be shared. He added that he would formally request authorities to allow her family members to meet her, as well as permit Imran Khan’s family to meet him and consider shifting him to a hospital for treatment.

“The earlier, the better. It is their basic right according to law,” he said, adding that their health situation was serious and a matter of public concern.

Shortly afterwards, Bushra Bibi’s sister, Maryam Riaz Wattoo, confirmed that the family had reached Islamabad and that Bushra Bibi would undergo a “crucial surgery” the same day, urging the public to pray for her recovery without disclosing further details.

Bushra Bibi is currently serving a seven-year sentence in the £190 million corruption case. In December 2025, she was also sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment in the Toshakhana-2 case, which relates to the alleged underpriced purchase of an expensive jewellery set gifted to Imran Khan by the Saudi crown prince during his May 2021 visit.

The PTI’s concerns over her health intensified after a document dated March 28 began circulating on social media. The document — which could not be independently verified — claimed that a doctor at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) had examined her and noted a history of blurred vision and the appearance of a black spot in her right eye for 11 days. It further stated that she had been experiencing headaches and flashes in the same eye.

In a separate statement, the PTI said Bushra Bibi had been reportedly diagnosed with posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), along with myopia and astigmatism, describing the situation as “deeply concerning”.

Health concerns have also surrounded Imran Khan in recent months. Reports indicate that he has been suffering from an eye ailment and underwent a third eye procedure at PIMS last month. According to submissions made to courts by his legal team, he has been diagnosed with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), a condition that can cause partial or complete vision loss. He has complained of losing up to 85% of vision in his right eye.

Medical records show that he has undergone multiple procedures, including anti-VEGF intravitreal injections to reduce retinal swelling. During hospital visits, broader health assessments, including cardiology evaluations, were also conducted, with doctors previously declaring him medically stable. A five-member medical board comprising specialists in cardiology, ENT and ophthalmology also examined him at Adiala jail on court orders.

While the Islamabad High Court directed authorities to ensure a medical board monitors his health, it has rejected petitions seeking his transfer to a private hospital. Meanwhile, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has confirmed that a blanket ban on meetings with Imran Khan has been in place since December 2025.

Concerns about detention conditions have also been raised internationally. In December last year, a United Nations expert warned that Bushra Bibi was being held in circumstances that could pose serious risks to her physical and mental integrity. The same expert also cautioned that Imran Khan’s detention conditions could amount to inhuman or degrading treatment, urging Pakistani authorities to comply with international standards.

The issue of access remains a key point of contention between the PTI and the government, with the party repeatedly demanding adequate medical care and regular family meetings for both Bushra Bibi and Imran Khan.

The latest development comes amid heightened political tensions, with the PTI recently postponing a planned rally aimed at securing Imran Khan’s release, citing ongoing diplomatic engagements in Islamabad linked to US-Iran peace efforts.