ISLAMABAD : The Supreme Court of Pakistan has directed the formation of a medical board to examine former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s eyes, following a report submitted to the court in which the PTI founder said he has only “15 per cent” vision remaining in his right eye. The court also ordered authorities to ensure his eye examination is done before February 16.
A division bench of the apex court, comprising Chief Justice Yahya Afridi and Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan, resumed hearing the case on Imran Khan’s living conditions in Adiala jail on Thursday.
The court also directed that the former premier be allowed to speak to his children.
PTI counsel Barrister Salman Safdar, the “Friend of Court”, read out a report stating that the PTI founder had expressed satisfaction over security arrangements and food facilities provided in jail.
The barrister met Imran at Adiala Jail on Tuesday and submitted a seven-page report to the court regarding Imran’s living condition in the prison.
In his report, the counsel quoted Imran as telling him that “despite the treatment administered (including an injection), he has been left with only 15 percent vision in his right eye”.
Barrister Safdar said that Imran Khan told him that about “three to four months earlier, until October 2025, he had normal vision in both eyes”. He then began experiencing persistent blurred and hazy vision, which he repeatedly reported to the then-jail superintendent but “no action was taken by the jail authorities”.
Chief Justice Yahya Afridi remarked that the court would pass an appropriate order after reviewing the recommendations presented in the report.
He stated that the matter would remain pending until a decision by the Islamabad High Court and that the court had also reserved its decision regarding the PTI founder’s health.
The chief justice emphasized that health was the most important issue and that the government’s position on the matter would be sought.
The attorney general told the court that providing healthcare facilities to prisoners is the state’s responsibility and assured that if the inmate was dissatisfied, necessary steps would be taken.
He also termed the issue of phone calls with children important and expressed confidence in the government’s response.
The court rejected a request to allow a family member to be present during the medical examination. It also observed that books would be provided to the PTI founder if doctors recommend reading as part of medical advice.