Imran Khan taken to PIMS overnight for eye treatment ahead of court-ordered jail meeting

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan was taken from Adiala Jail to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) late at night for a medical examination and follow-up eye treatment, the hospital administration said on Wednesday.

According to an official statement, Imran was brought to the hospital during the night between November 10 and 11. The hospital administration said the examination included further treatment of his eyes. On the advice of ophthalmologists, a team of ophthalmologists injected the former prime minister with anti-VEGF injections. All of Imran’s vital medical parameters were within normal limits during the examination, PIMS said, adding that his general physical condition was satisfactory and stable.

Sources said Imran was taken to the hospital under tight security and similar arrangements were made during his transfer back to Adiala jail after examination.

The development came a day after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) directed that lawyers Latif Khosa and Salman Safdar be allowed to meet Imran and his wife, Bushra Bibi, at Adiala Jail.

During the hearing of appeals filed by the couple against their convictions in the £190 million case, Attorney General of Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan told the court that meetings could be arranged if the lawyers assured it that arguments in the appeals would begin at the next hearing. These orders were passed by a division bench of the IHC comprising Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Asif.

The Islamabad Accountability Court in the case sentenced Imran to 14 years in prison and a fine of Rs 10 lakh, while Bushira Bibi was sentenced to seven years in prison and a fine of Rs 5 lakh. During Tuesday’s hearing, Khosa told the court that he had repeatedly asked to see the former prime minister, but was denied permission. He wanted to meet Imran for at least an hour, prompting the court to order the Attorney General of Islamabad to arrange a meeting with Imran and Bushir Bibi. Advocate Salman Safdar also sought another meeting, saying his earlier interaction with the PTI founder gave some hints but not enough.

Safdar told the court that Imran told him his vision had improved but his blood pressure remained uncontrolled and he was at risk of a brain haemorrhage.