Islamabad
A medical board has reported improvement in the eyesight of jailed former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan following a detailed examination ordered by the Supreme Court.
The 73-year-old former cricketer-turned-politician was examined on Sunday by Dr Nadeem Qureshi of Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital and Dr Muhammad Arif Khan of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).
The medical evaluation came after the apex court directed authorities to allow a comprehensive eye check-up. The court acted after its appointed lawyer, Salman Safdar, informed it on February 12 that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder had complained of having only 15 per cent vision in his right eye.
According to the medical report shared with the media, Khan’s vision in his right eye without glasses was recorded at 6/24 (partial), while his left eye measured 6/9. With corrective glasses, his right eye improved to 6/9 (partial) and the left eye to 6/6.
The report also noted a reduction in swelling in the right eye, with thickness decreasing from 550 microns to 350 microns — described as a sign of improvement. The board recommended eye drops for both eyes and advised two additional eye tests.
The briefing was given at PIMS to PTI Chairman Gohar Khan and Senate Opposition Leader Allama Nasir Abbas. Khan’s personal physicians — Dr Asim Yusuf and Dr Khurram Mirza — were also briefed over a phone call lasting more than 25 minutes.
Dr Asim Yusuf, Chief Medical Officer at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, said in a video statement that while the medical board informed them of significant improvement in Khan’s condition, he could neither confirm nor deny the assessment as he had not personally examined him.
He requested that he and Dr Faisal Sultan, or doctors nominated by Khan’s family, be allowed to meet the former premier. He also urged that Khan be shifted to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad for further treatment.
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Khan has been incarcerated at Adiala Jail since August 5, 2023, following his arrest at his Lahore residence after conviction in a corruption case.
