Imran Khan loses major vision in jail, court-appointed lawyer flags serious health and rights concerns

PTC Web Desk: Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has suffered significant vision loss and serious health decline during his incarceration at Adiala Jail, according to a detailed report submitted by a Supreme Court-appointed amicus curiae.

The report, prepared by senior lawyer Salman Safdar after a prison visit, raises alarming concerns about Imran Khan’s medical condition, prolonged isolation and restricted access to family and legal counsel. The findings suggest that repeated complaints about his deteriorating eyesight were not addressed in time.

As per the document, Khan stated that until October 2025 he had normal vision in both eyes. He later began experiencing persistent blurriness and haziness, which he reportedly brought to the attention of jail authorities on multiple occasions. However, no immediate medical intervention followed.

The delay, the report notes, resulted in a sudden and severe loss of vision in his right eye. When an ophthalmologist from PIMS Hospital eventually examined him, he was diagnosed with a blood clot that had caused substantial damage. Despite receiving an injection and limited treatment, Khan is said to have retained only around 15 per cent vision in the affected eye.

Safdar, who met Khan in prison, observed visible signs of distress. According to the report, the former prime minister appeared deeply troubled by both the vision loss and the absence of timely specialised medical care. Physical discomfort was also evident during the interaction.

Beyond the medical concerns, the report highlights that Khan has remained in solitary confinement since his transfer to Adiala Jail in October 2023, a period now stretching over two years. The continued isolation, it states, has raised serious questions about his mental and physical well-being.

At 73, and with a history of multiple health issues, Khan reportedly informed the court-appointed visitor that he had not been allowed to consult his personal physicians. Routine blood tests, considered essential given his age, were allegedly not conducted. The report further claims that even basic dental treatment was denied despite repeated requests.

Restrictions on meetings with family members and lawyers were also documented. According to the report, regular meetings with close relatives, including his sisters, were not permitted for extended periods despite court directives. Only recently has he been allowed to meet his wife once a week for a brief duration. Communication with his sons has reportedly been limited to just a couple of phone calls during the year.

Access to legal counsel has also been curtailed. The report states that for several months Khan was not allowed to meet his primary lawyer or key members of his legal team, potentially affecting his ability to prepare his defence in ongoing cases.

The amicus curiae has urged immediate medical evaluation by specialised ophthalmologists and restoration of regular family and legal access, warning that any further delay could pose serious risks to Khan’s well-being.